Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his WBO heavyweight title belt, with Fabio Wardley promoted to the full-time champion.
It comes after the undefeated fighter, who became the undisputed champion of the heavyweight division when he beat Tyson Fury in May 2024 and then again earlier this year after stopping Daniel Dubois, opted not to fight Wardley.
The Ukranian was ordered to fight the winner of Joseph Parker vs Wardley, which took place in October, which the latter won. Upon earning the match, the Brit said: ‘That has been the goal for a number of years now. That’s been the objective. That’s been everything I’ve wanted.’
He has been denied the chance to battle Usyk, though, and has now been elevated from interim champion to official champion.
Had they fought, Usyk would have been defending his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts. He had given injury as a reason for not first defending against Parker, but has not yet given a reason for this decision.
Now 38, Usyk is fighting once a year on average and his future is unclear after the win over Dubois at Wembley in July.
The WBO released a statement reading: ‘The WBO 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 the title.’
President Gustavo Olivieri said: ‘The WBO extends its profound respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO Undisputed World Champion, and a fighter who has earned and exemplified every right, privilege, and honor associated with the WBO Super Champion distinction. His career stands as one of the most extraordinary and historic of the modern boxing era.
‘The WBO is deeply honored to have had a champion of such stature both inside and outside the ring. Usyk embodies excellence, discipline, integrity, and patriotism. He is a source of pride for the people of Ukraine and a true global ambassador for boxing.
‘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.
‘We extend our warmest wishes to Oleksandr, his family, and his entire team in all future personal and professional endeavors. His place in WBO history-and in the global legacy of boxing- is forever secure.’
Wardley, meanwhile, dramatically stopped Parker at the O2 and is himself undefeated, with 19 of those coming via knockout. His one draw, against Frazier Clarke, was avenged with a first-round knockout in the rematch.
He took to social media to celebrate the news, posting on X: ‘#AndTheNew’.