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The UK's heavyweight contender is set to be promoted to WBO heavyweight champion after Usyk chose to vacate his championship belt

This situation arises after Ukrainian fighter notified the WBO he would not proceed with a obligatory title fight against his mandatory opponent

WBO Statement

The WBO stated that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his belt after deep reflection"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten his British opponent at the famous London venue in the summer month to become a repeat unified title holder

He first became the complete unified champion in last year by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title shortly after and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger

"Boxing official Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a official release"

"The WBO extends its deep appreciation and respect to Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion"

"His career stands as one of the most extraordinary and historic of the contemporary boxing period"

The WBO added that its doors "will always remain open Usyk and his team"

Championship History

Usyk won the championship in two years ago by beating the British star and went on to successfully defend multiple times

In mid-year, the championship body required discussions for a mandatory defence against interim champion Joseph Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the bout

Wardley's Rise

But the 30-year-old British fighter, took the interim title from Parker with a huge upset in the championship rounds at the capital's venue last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline

The championship body still needs to verify Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a certainty

"Britain has a fresh boxing champion and a new star of the sport"

"A truly extraordinary path throughout my decades as a sports manager and I could not be prouder of Fabio 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, coming through the unlicensed white-collar scene and has had a limited professional record

What's Next

• Wardley's expected promotion marks a significant moment in heavyweight boxing
• The Ukrainian's move to relinquish the title opens new opportunities for more fighters
• The sport now expects formal announcement from the boxing organization
• The British fighter's journey from unconventional beginning to title holder continues to capture attention