🔗 Share this article Britain's Fabio Wardley Expected to Become World Heavyweight Champion as Oleksandr Usyk Vacates Belt British boxer Fabio Wardley started his boxing career at the age of 20 Britain's Fabio Wardley is expected to be elevated to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate his championship belt This development comes after Ukrainian fighter told boxing authorities he would avoid a required championship defense against the British challenger Boxing Organization's Position The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his championship following careful thought" Usyk still holds the three major championship belts, having overcome Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion He originally secured the all-belt title holder in last year by overcoming Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title five weeks later and deciding not to fight the required opponent "Boxing official Olivieri praised the Ukrainian fighter in a statement" "The organization offers its sincere admiration and thanks to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division WBO undisputed world champion" "His achievements mark one of the most remarkable and significant of the contemporary boxing period" The organization continued that its doors "will always remain open Usyk and his team" Oleksandr Usyk is an gold medal winner and perfect in his pro career Championship History Usyk secured the championship in recently by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times In summer, the championship body required discussions for a mandatory defence against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to force the postponement of the fight Wardley's Rise But Wardley, 30, won the provisional belt from Parker with a significant shock in the championship rounds at London's O2 Arena in the previous month and was mandated to face Usyk before the September deadline The boxing organization hasn't formally announced the title change but his representative believes it is a certainty "England has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport" "A truly extraordinary path during my long career as a sports manager and I could not be happier for the British fighter" "Some huge fights ahead for the coming period as he protects his championship and creates a true legacy in the boxing world" Wardley only began boxing at twenty years old, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record What's Next The anticipated title change represents an important development in the division The champion's choice to vacate the belt creates fresh possibilities for additional challengers The sport now awaits official confirmation from the boxing organization Wardley's story from alternative background to championship status continues to inspire many