Fabio Wardley has claimed the heavyweight world champion title following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his belt.
In an exciting match last month, Wardley defeated Joseph Parker in the 11th round to become the interim WBO champion. Usyk, who was mandated to defend his four belts against Wardley, chose not to face the British boxer for the ninth time.
Having previously held the undisputed world champion title twice after defeating Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, Usyk intended to retire after one more fight but recently announced his plan to continue boxing for another two years. Wardley’s journey to becoming a world champion is remarkable, starting his career in white-collar boxing without any amateur background but achieving success in the professional arena since 2017.
With an impressive record of 20 wins, one draw, and no losses, including 19 knockouts, Wardley has defeated notable opponents such as Justis Huni, David Adeleye, Nick Gorman, and Nick Webb. The only blemish on his record is a draw against Frazer Clarke, whom he later defeated in a rematch with a first-round TKO.
Despite Wardley’s eagerness to face Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer decided to vacate the belt, marking the second time in his career he has done so. This move allowed Wardley to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion without facing Usyk in the ring.
As Wardley celebrates his WBO heavyweight champion title, his promoter, Frank Warren, expressed pride in his fighter’s accomplishment, highlighting the exciting fights ahead in 2026 as Wardley defends his belt and solidifies his legacy in the sport.
