Oleksandr Usyk gives up world title and hands over belt to British boxer

British boxer Fabio Wardley is on the brink of being named heavyweight world champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished his title. Wardley claimed victory over Joseph Parker in the 11th round of a gripping encounter last month, securing his position as interim WBO champion. Usyk had previously been instructed to defend his four belts against the Ipswich fighter but has chosen not to proceed with what would have been his ninth bout with a British opponent.

The Ukrainian has twice held the undisputed world champion title following victories over Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. He had intended to fight just once more, but recently disclosed plans to extend his career for another two years. For Wardley, being crowned world champion would mark an extraordinary pinnacle of a career that started in the white-collar boxing scene. Despite having no amateur career, he has triumphed in all but one of his professional bouts since turning pro in 2017.

His impressive record of 20 wins, zero losses and one draw includes a total of 19 knockouts, defeating opponents such as Justis Huni, David Adeleye, Nick Gorman and Nathan Webb.

The only boxer to have held Wardley to a draw so far, tarnishing his otherwise perfect record, is Frazer Clarke, who first faced off against the 30-year-old last March.

However, their immediate rematch, which took place in October of the same year, put any doubts about who was the superior boxer to rest, as Wardley secured a first-round TKO against the Burton-born heavyweight.

Wardley had previously expressed his eagerness to face Usyk, telling Sky Sports: "That has been the goal for a number of years now. That's been the objective. That's been everything I've wanted."

Yet ultimately, no bout with the sport's current dominant force proved necessary for Wardley to fulfil his world champion ambitions. This marks the second occasion Usyk has relinquished a belt, having vacated his IBF title last year after opting for an immediate rematch with Fury instead of facing the organisation's mandatory challenger, Dubois.

Dubois subsequently claimed the IBF title with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September. But his reign proved brief, eventually meeting Usyk in July 2025 at the same venue, where the British fighter suffered a fifth-round stoppage himself.

Wardley's promoter, Frank Warren, swiftly responded to the news of his fighter becoming the WBO heavyweight champion of the world. Posting a photograph of his boxer on X, he declared: "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 @FabioWardley. Some huge fights ahead for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the sport."