Fabio Wardley has been upgraded to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk elected to relinquish the title – and his undisputed status – rather than defend it against the unbeaten Briton.
Wardley wrested the interim title from Joseph Parker via a dramatic 11th-round stoppage last month and was mandated to face the Ukrainian before the end of September.
But the WBO announced on Monday that Usyk, who unified the world titles by beating another Briton, the then IBF champion Daniel Dubois in July, has formally relayed his decision to vacate the belt “after thoughtful consideration”. Beating Dubois resulted in Usyk becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time, but he elected for his spell to be short-lived.
The WBO later confirmed Wardley’s elevation to “full champion status”. Frank Warren, the 30-year-old’s promoter, wrote on X: “Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport.
“One of the most incredible stories I’ve seen in my 45 years as a promoter and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley. Some huge fights ahead for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the sport.”
Wardley started his career in white-collar boxing before turning professional in 2017 and racking up 17 straight wins. After a split-decision draw against Frazer Clarke in March 2024, he beat Clarke in one round seven months later and subsequently came from behind to stop Justis Huni and earn his shot at Parker.
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Wardley becomes the sixth Briton to hold the WBO heavyweight title after Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Henry Akinwande, Herbie Hide and Michael Bentt.
