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Britain's Fabio Wardley is set to be promoted to world boxing champion after the Ukrainian champion chose to vacate his championship belt

This follows after Ukrainian fighter told boxing authorities he would not engage in a obligatory title fight against the British challenger

Official Announcement

The championship body announced that Usyk had "elected to relinquish his belt after deep reflection"

Usyk continues to possess the multiple world titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at the national stadium in the summer month to become a repeat unified title holder

He originally secured the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by beating Tyson Fury, before giving up the IBF title shortly after and choosing to avoid the obligatory contender

"Boxing official the WBO leader called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a official release"

"Officials expressed its deep appreciation and respect to Usyk, an perfect record holder across weight classes"

"His achievements mark one of the most impressive and memorable of the modern boxing era"

The organization continued that its doors "will always remain open Usyk and his team"

Belt Timeline

Usyk won the WBO belt in recently by overcoming Joshua and went on to protect his title repeatedly

In summer, the championship body required discussions for a mandatory defence against temporary title holder Parker, only for a champion's back problem to force the postponement of the fight

Wardley's Rise

But Wardley, captured the temporary championship from Parker with a significant shock in the championship rounds at the capital's venue in the previous month and was required to challenge Usyk before the end of September

The championship body still needs to verify Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a done deal

"England has a fresh boxing champion and a rising boxing talent"

"Among the most remarkable journeys during my long career as a boxing representative and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Major contests coming up for next year as he defends his WBO belt and builds his reputation in the sport"

The champion started fighting at twenty years old, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had a limited professional record

What's Next

• Wardley's expected promotion represents an important development in the division
• Usyk's decision to vacate the belt paves the way for more fighters
• The fighting community now anticipates verification from the championship body
• The British fighter's journey from alternative background to championship status continues to motivate others