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Britain's heavyweight contender will be upgraded to world boxing champion after Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate his title

This follows after the champion told boxing authorities he would not engage in a obligatory title fight against Wardley

Official Announcement

The championship body announced that Usyk chose to vacate his belt after deep reflection"

Usyk still holds the multiple world titles, having defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in mid-year to become a repeat unified title holder

He initially achieved the four-belt undisputed champion in last year by defeating the British champion, before vacating another belt a month afterwards and choosing to avoid the mandatory challenger

"Organization head the WBO leader called Usyk "a champion of champions" in a statement"

"Officials expressed its sincere admiration and thanks to Usyk, an unbeaten multi-division champion"

"His record represents one of the most remarkable and significant of the contemporary boxing period"

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

Belt Timeline

Usyk won the WBO belt in two years ago by defeating Anthony Joshua and went on to successfully defend multiple times

In mid-year, the WBO had ordered negotiations for a obligatory championship fight against New Zealand's Parker, only for a champion's back problem to cause the delay of the contest

Wardley's Rise

But Wardley, 30, captured the temporary championship from his opponent with a major surprise in the 11th round at the famous London arena recently and was ordered to fight the champion before the September deadline

The WBO is yet to officially confirm Wardley's promotion but his representative believes it is a certainty

"Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport"

"A truly extraordinary path throughout my decades as a boxing representative and I could not be more pleased for Wardley"

"Some huge fights ahead for next year as he protects his championship and establishes his place in the boxing world"

The champion started fighting aged 20, emerging from the amateur circuit and has had just 21 professional fights

Coming Challenges

• The anticipated title change signals a major shift in the weight class
• Usyk's decision to vacate the belt paves the way for additional challengers
• The sport now anticipates verification from the boxing organization
• Wardley's story from alternative background to world champion continues to capture attention