Fabio Wardley has clinched the heavyweight world champion title as Oleksandr Usyk decided to relinquish his belt. Wardley emerged victorious over Joseph Parker in a thrilling 11th-round battle last month to secure the interim WBO championship. Usyk, who was mandated to defend his four belts against Wardley, opted out of what would have been his ninth encounter with a British fighter.
Usyk, a two-time undisputed world champion, had triumphed over Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois in the past. Despite planning to retire after one more fight, he recently announced his intention to continue boxing for another two years. Wardley’s journey to world champion status marks a remarkable achievement, starting his career in the white-collar boxing scene without any amateur background but winning almost all of his professional bouts since turning pro in 2017.
With an impressive record of 20 wins, one draw, and zero losses, including 19 knockouts, Wardley has defeated notable opponents like Justis Huni, David Adeleye, Nick Gorman, and Nick Webb. Frazer Clarke remains the only fighter to hold Wardley to a draw, tarnishing an otherwise flawless record. Wardley proved his dominance in a rematch against Clarke with a first-round TKO victory.
While Wardley had aimed to challenge Usyk, he ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a world champion without facing the current top heavyweight. Usyk’s decision to relinquish his belt is reminiscent of his past move when he gave up his IBF title to take an immediate rematch with Fury instead of meeting the mandatory challenger, Dubois.
Dubois was later promoted to full IBF champion and defended his title with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September. However, Usyk dethroned Dubois in July 2025 with a fifth-round stoppage at the same venue. Wardley’s promoter, Frank Warren, expressed pride in Wardley’s accomplishment, hailing him as the new star of British heavyweight boxing with exciting title defenses and a promising legacy in the sport ahead.