Usyk Emptys WBO Belt, Wardley Becomes Real World Champion

JAKARTA Oleksandr Usyk officially took off his WBO heavyweight belt. This decision automatically made Fabio Wardley the real world champion status.

WBO said in an official statement that it had received official communication from the Ukrainian fighter team regarding the mandatory duel against Wardley.

"After careful consideration, Usyk has decided to release his WBO title," WBO said in a statement.

Wardley emerged as Usyk's next challenger after he earned his WBO interim title by beating Joseph Parker last month at The O2 Arena, London, England.

Usyk was told by WBO in September 2025 that he would have to face Parker's winner against Wardley if he wanted to maintain his status as world champion of the undisputed class.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said he had great respect for Usyk's decision to choose to vacate the WBO belt.

"WBO expresses its deep respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk. His career is one of the most extraordinary and historic in the modern boxing era," he said.

Wardley, who has not suffered a defeat in his career, is the latest heavyweight world champion from England, following Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua.

On the other hand, Usyk still holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, which he got after defeating Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July 2025 to become the undisputed heavyweight champion twice.

He first won undisputed four-belts in May 2024 by beating Tyson Fury.

However, just five weeks later, Usyk immediately submitted his IBF title and decided not to fight the mandatory challenger at the time.