🔗 Share this article Britain's Fabio Wardley Expected to Become World Boxing Champion as Usyk Vacates Belt British boxer the rising star started his boxing career at the age of twenty England's boxing star is expected to be elevated to heavyweight title holder after Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up his world title This development comes after Ukrainian fighter notified the WBO he would avoid a required championship defense against the British challenger WBO Statement The boxing organization confirmed that the champion decided to give up his championship following careful thought" The Ukrainian maintains the three major championship belts, having defeated Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in mid-year to become a repeat unified title holder He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by defeating the British champion, before relinquishing one championship shortly after and deciding not to fight the mandatory challenger "Boxing official Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a official release" "Officials expressed its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes" "His career stands as one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era" The boxing body stated that its institution will continue to support the champion and his camp" The Ukrainian boxer is an Olympic gold medallist and perfect in his pro career Title Reign Usyk won the WBO belt in recently by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to protect his title repeatedly In mid-year, the boxing organization mandated talks for a required title defense against temporary title holder Parker, only for a back injury sustained by Usyk to require rescheduling of the contest New Champion's Path But Wardley, 30, won the provisional belt from the New Zealander with a significant shock in the later stages at the capital's venue last month and was required to challenge Usyk before the end of September The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the British fighter's elevation but his manager Warren believes it is a formality "Britain has a fresh boxing champion and a new star of the sport" "One of the most incredible stories I've seen in my 45 years as a boxing representative and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley" "Major contests coming up for the coming period as he protects his championship and creates a true legacy in the boxing world" Wardley only began boxing aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record What's Next The anticipated title change signals a major shift in the division The champion's choice to relinquish the title paves the way for other contenders The fighting community now expects formal announcement from the boxing organization Wardley's story from unconventional beginning to title holder continues to motivate others