Overview
- Oleksandr Usyk vacated the WBO heavyweight belt after being ordered to face Fabio Wardley, triggering Wardley’s elevation to full champion.
- Wardley described the decision as “a bit of a strange one” in his first public remarks since receiving confirmation of the title.
- The Ipswich fighter earned the interim strap by stopping Joseph Parker in the 11th round in October, positioning him for promotion when the belt was relinquished.
- A first defense is being lined up for early 2026 with the opponent undecided, and Wardley says an Anthony Joshua matchup would be “a pleasure.”
- Wardley maintains he still needs to “earn the right” to be recognised as champion, while Usyk retains the WBA, WBC and IBF titles.