Oleksandr Usyk has officially relinquished his WBO heavyweight title, marking the end of his second reign as undisputed champion. The decision came after the World Boxing Organisation ordered the Ukrainian to face Fabio Wardley, the undefeated British fighter who recently secured the interim title by defeating Joseph Parker in an 11th-round stoppage at The O2. Wardley, who now holds the full WBO championship, expressed his long-standing ambition to clash with Usyk, stating, "That has been the goal for a number of years now. That's been everything I've wanted."
The WBO confirmed Usyk’s vacature in a statement, emphasizing that his decision was "a respectful pause" rather than a permanent exit. "The doors of the WBO will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team," the statement read. Usyk’s refusal to agree to the mandatory defense against Parker, citing injury, has now shifted the focus to Wardley, who boasts an impressive record of 20 wins, 19 knockouts, and one draw, which he later avenged with a first-round victory over Frazer Clarke.
The development raises questions about Usyk’s future, as he has yet to announce his next move following his recent triumph over Daniel Dubois to reclaim the IBF title. Meanwhile, Wardley’s elevation continues a legacy of British heavyweight champions, joining names like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The situation also fuels speculation about potential matchups, including a third bout between Usyk and Fury, though no official plans have been revealed.
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