Fabio Wardley becomes the new WBO world heavyweight champion
Unbeaten Briton Fabio Wardley elevated to full world champion
Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished the WBO heavyweight title after being ordered to face his mandatory, Fabio Wardley.
Unbeaten Briton Wardley has now been elevated from WBO Interim to WBO world heavyweight champion.
The undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was told by the WBO that he must face the Joseph Parker vs Wardley winner in September, but has decided to relinquish his belt instead.
It was Wardley, 30 from Ipswich, who won the championship contest in the 11th round in November to earn the shot at the Ukrainian next.
Fabio becomes the first Briton to become WBO world heavyweight champion in four years, after Anthony Joshua lost the title to Usyk in September 2021.
Only six Britons have ever held this title: Michael Bentt; Herbie Hide; Henry Akinwande; Tyson Fury; Anthony Joshua.
Wardley's reign is made al that more impressive due to his late start and lack of boxing background before turning pro. He didn’t start boxing until he was 20-years-old, working for a recruitment agency in London, he signed up for white collar boxing, then turned over after only four bouts in 2017.
The WBO released the following statement: "The World Boxing Organisation announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO Heavyweight Championship. After thoughtful consideration, Usyk has elected to relinquish his title.
"We accept and respect his decision to relinquish the WBO Heavyweight Super Championship. This is not a farewell, but - as expressed by his team - a respectful pause. The doors of the WBO will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team."
Usyk is now a former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, as well as a two-weight undisputed champion, and three-time undisputed champion.
