Oleksandr Usyk has vacated the WBO heavyweight title.
Fabio Wardley has emerged as Usyk’s next challenger after winning the interim WBO title with an impressive 11th-round stoppage win over Joseph Parker at The O2 last month, and will now be promoted to full WBO title.
Usyk was told by the WBO in September that he would have to face the winner of Parker vs. Wardley, but the Ukrainian’s second reign as undisputed champion came to an end after the WBO allowed Usyk to relinquish the belt.
“The World Boxing Organization announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO Heavyweight Championship. After much consideration, Usyk has chosen to vacate the title,” the WBO said in a statement.
Oleksandr Usyk was ordered to face Fabio Wardley
The statement continued: “We accept and respect his decision to vacate the WBO heavyweight super title. This is not a farewell, but a respectful pause as expressed by his team. The WBO’s door will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team.”
Undefeated Wardley becomes Britain’s newest world heavyweight champion, joining Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
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Andy Scott explains why Oleksandr Usyk vacated the WBO heavyweight title after being ordered to fight Fabio Wardley and what this means for his third fight with Tyson Fury
Wardley, a former white-collar fighter, welcomed the prospect of facing Usyk, telling Sky Sports:
“That was the goal. That was all I wanted.”
However, the Ipswich boxer was denied the chance to challenge Usyk, who could have defended all his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts against the Briton.
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Highlights of the heavyweight showdown between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena (Credit: DAZN)
Wardley extended his explosive record to 20 wins, 19 by knockout, and recorded his only draw, which was resolved with an impressive first-round knockout in his rematch with Fraser Clarke.
Usyk cited injury as the reason for not agreeing to terms to defend his WBO title against Parker, and the 38-year-old has yet to decide on his next career move since stopping Daniel Dubois from reclaiming the IBF belt this summer.
