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Britain's Fabio Wardley is set to be promoted to world boxing champion after the Ukrainian champion opted to give up his championship belt

This follows after Ukrainian fighter informed the World Boxing Organisation he would avoid a mandatory title defence against the British challenger

Boxing Organization's Position

The boxing organization confirmed that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his title after thoughtful consideration"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in the summer month to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion

He originally secured the all-belt title holder in May 2024 by overcoming Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title five weeks later and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger

"WBO president Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a statement"

"Officials expressed its profound respect, admiration and gratitude to the Ukrainian champion, an unbeaten multi-division champion"

"His achievements mark one of the most remarkable and significant of the modern boxing era"

The organization continued that its doors "will always remain open Usyk and his team"

Championship History

Usyk secured the world title in recently by overcoming Joshua and went on to defend it four times

In mid-year, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a required title defense against temporary title holder Parker, only for a back injury sustained by Usyk to require rescheduling of the contest

British Fighter's Journey

But Wardley, 30, captured the temporary championship from the New Zealander with a significant shock in the later stages at the capital's venue last month and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline

The boxing organization hasn't formally announced Wardley's promotion but his promoter Frank Warren believes it is a done deal

"The UK has a fresh boxing champion and a emerging fighting personality"

"A truly extraordinary path I've seen in my 45 years as a boxing representative and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley"

"Some huge fights ahead for the coming period as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the fighting community"

Wardley entered the sport relatively late, developing through alternative boxing and has had just 21 professional fights

Coming Challenges

• Wardley's expected promotion represents an important development in heavyweight boxing
• Usyk's decision to relinquish the title creates fresh possibilities for more fighters
• The sport now expects formal announcement from the boxing organization
• The champion's path from alternative background to title holder continues to inspire many