Oleksandr Usyk vacates one of his heavyweight world titles

Boxing star Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) has officially vacated his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight championship.

The news was confirmed in a statement posted across the social media channels of the boxing sanctioning body on Monday. As a result, Usyk now only holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF world titles. Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), who won an interim version of the WBO world title against Joseph Parker in October, is expected to be formally announced as the organization’s newest champion soon.

The WBO statement claims they received “formal communication” from Usyk’s team expressing their decision to vacate the title. In 2021, the Ukrainian defeated Anthony Joshua to claim the belt. Usyk would eventually make five defences of the title before deciding to vacate it.

Oleksandr Usyk vacates WBO heavyweight world title

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“A champion of champions,” said WBO president Gustavo Olivieri in the statement published by the WBO. “The WBO extends its profound respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division, WBO undisputed world champion, and a fighter who has earned and exemplified every right, privilege, and honor associated with the WBO super champion distinction. His career stands as one of the most extraordinary and historic of the modern boxing era.”

“The WBO is deeply honored to have had a champion of such stature both inside and outside the ring,” the statement continued.

“Usyk embodies excellence, discipline, integrity, and patriotism. He is a source of pride for the people of Ukraine and a true global ambassador for boxing. We accept and respect his decision to relinquish the WBO Heavyweight Super Championship. This is not a farewell, but – as expressed by his team – a respectful pause. The doors of the WBO will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team. We extend our warmest wishes to Oleksandr, his family, and his entire team in all future personal and professional endeavors. His place in WBO history – and in the global legacy of boxing – is forever secure.”

“#AndTheNew 🏆,” posted Wardley to X in response to the WBO’s post.

The title’s future

The WBO’s most recent rankings update have young phenom Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) as their number one ranked contender. He is also due a shot at the world title. Itauma was most recently seen in the ring stopping Dillian Whyte in just one round. He is currently scheduled to face Jermaine Franklin in January. Frank Warren, who promotes both Wardley and Itauma, posted to X that the former will be defending the WBO title in 2026. Whether Wardley does so against Itauma remains to be seen.