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The UK's boxing star is expected to be elevated to heavyweight title holder after Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up his world title

This follows after the champion informed the World Boxing Organisation he would not engage in a required championship defense against the British challenger

Official Announcement

The boxing organization confirmed that the champion decided to give up his title after thoughtful consideration"

The Ukrainian maintains the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, having beaten his British opponent at the famous London venue in the summer month to become a double undisputed champion

He first became the four-belt undisputed champion in spring 2024 by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title a month afterwards and opting out of facing the mandatory challenger

"WBO president Gustavo Olivieri called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a announcement"

"The WBO extends its sincere admiration and thanks to the Ukrainian champion, an unbeaten multi-division champion"

"His record represents one of the most remarkable and significant of the recent fighting history"

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

Belt Timeline

Usyk secured the championship in recently by beating the British star and went on to protect his title repeatedly

In July, the boxing organization mandated talks for a mandatory defence against temporary title holder Parker, only for a champion's back problem to require rescheduling of the bout

British Fighter's Journey

But the 30-year-old British fighter, captured the temporary championship from his opponent with a huge upset in the 11th round at the capital's venue recently and was mandated to face Usyk before the September deadline

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

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

"Among the most remarkable journeys throughout my decades as a sports manager and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Some huge fights ahead for the coming period as he protects his championship and establishes his place in the boxing world"

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

Future Prospects

• The likely championship upgrade represents an important development in heavyweight boxing
• The Ukrainian's move to give up the championship paves the way for more fighters
• The boxing world now expects formal announcement from the championship body
• The British fighter's journey from alternative background to title holder continues to inspire many