Usyk Vacates WBO Heavyweight Title as Wardley Poised to Take Over

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In a shocking move, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his WBO heavyweight title, opting not to defend it against Britain's Fabio Wardley. The World Boxing Organization confirmed Usyk's decision on Monday, citing 'thoughtful consideration' as the reason behind his move. Wardley, a 30-year-old British boxer, is now expected to be elevated to WBO heavyweight champion. Usyk, 38, currently holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, having regained the IBF belt in December after stopping Daniel Dubois. Usyk's decision marks a significant shift in the boxing landscape, with Wardley poised to take over the WBO title. The 30-year-old has been waiting in the wings, having been ordered to face Usyk in a mandatory defence. The WBO president, Gustavo Olivieri, paid tribute to Usyk, calling him a 'champion of champions' and acknowledging his incredible career. Usyk won the WBO belt in 2021 by defeating Anthony Joshua, and has since added the WBC title by beating Tyson Fury. He has defended the WBO crown four times during his reign. The WBO has stated that the doors will remain open to Usyk and his team, suggesting that he may return to the ring in the future. Meanwhile, Fabio Wardley is set to take on the challenge of becoming the new WBO heavyweight champion. With Usyk's decision, the boxing world is left to wonder what's next for the Ukrainian boxer and the implications of this move on the sport.