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The UK's heavyweight contender is set to be promoted to heavyweight title holder after the Ukrainian champion opted to give up his world title

This follows after Usyk notified the WBO he would not proceed with a obligatory title fight against Wardley

WBO Statement

The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his championship following careful thought"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in July to become a double undisputed champion

He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in May 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before vacating another belt a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger

"Organization head Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a statement"

"The organization offers its sincere admiration and thanks to the Ukrainian champion, an perfect record holder across weight classes"

"His record represents one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era"

The WBO added that its organization will always welcome the champion and his camp"

Title Reign

The champion captured the world title in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to defend it four times

In summer, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a obligatory championship fight against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to require rescheduling of the bout

New Champion's Path

But the 30-year-old British fighter, captured the temporary championship from the New Zealander with a major surprise in the championship rounds at the capital's venue in the previous month and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion

The championship body still needs to verify the title change but his manager Warren believes it is a done deal

"Britain has a fresh boxing champion and a emerging fighting personality"

"A truly extraordinary path I've seen in my 45 years as a boxing representative and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Significant bouts in the future for next year as he defends his WBO belt and establishes his place in the boxing world"

Wardley only began boxing at twenty years old, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record

Coming Challenges

• The anticipated title change represents an important development in heavyweight boxing
• The champion's choice to relinquish the title opens new opportunities for additional challengers
• The boxing world now awaits official confirmation from the boxing organization
• Wardley's story from unconventional beginning to world champion continues to inspire many