Usyk relinquishes WBO belt, Fabio Wardley elevated to full world champion

Two-times undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0) has decided on Monday to vacate his WBO World title, and Britain’s Fabio Wardley (20-0-1) will be elevated to full world champion.

WBO announced on Monday that Usyk is vacating title, and confirmed also that Wardley will become full champion.

“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.”

Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in June to become two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. He was ordered by WBO to defend title against interim champion at that time, Joseph Parker. But Usyk, because of an injury, was granted extra time to recover.

Parker decided to fight Wardley and was stunned in round 11 on October 25 in London.