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The UK's Fabio Wardley is set to be promoted to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk decided to relinquish his title

This development comes after Usyk informed the World Boxing Organisation he would not engage in a obligatory title fight against Wardley

Official Announcement

The championship body announced that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his title after thoughtful consideration"

Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a double undisputed champion

He originally secured the all-belt title holder in last year by overcoming Tyson Fury, before relinquishing one championship a month afterwards and opting out of facing the mandatory challenger

"Organization head Gustavo Olivieri described Usyk as exceptional in a official release"

"The organization offers its deep appreciation and respect to Usyk, an unbeaten multi-division champion"

"His achievements mark one of the most extraordinary and historic of the contemporary boxing period"

The organization continued that its doors "will always remain open the champion and his camp"

Title Reign

Usyk secured the WBO belt in 2021 by beating the British star and went on to successfully defend multiple times

In July, the boxing organization mandated talks for a mandatory defence against New Zealand's Parker, only for a Usyk's physical issue to cause the delay of the fight

New Champion's Path

But Wardley, took the interim title from Parker with a huge upset in the later stages at the capital's venue recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the month's conclusion

The championship body still needs to verify the British fighter's elevation but his manager Warren believes it is a certainty

"England has a recent title holder and a rising boxing talent"

"A truly extraordinary path during my long career as a boxing representative and I could not be happier for the British fighter"

"Some huge fights ahead for next year as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the boxing world"

Wardley only began boxing aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had just 21 professional fights

Future Prospects

• Wardley's expected promotion represents an important development in the weight class
• The Ukrainian's move to relinquish the title paves the way for additional challengers
• The boxing world now anticipates verification from the boxing organization
• The British fighter's journey from late starter to world champion continues to inspire many