Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk gave up the WBO title and lost the status of the absolute world champion.
The World Boxing Organization reported this in X.
Usyk’s next opponent was to be Briton Fabio Wardley. Promoter Frank Warren stated that negotiations for a fight with Usyk were already underway, and the meeting was planned for the first half of 2026.
Now, Wardley has won the interim title according to the WBO. To get a full title, he will have to defeat another opponent.
Usyk became the WBO world champion in September 2021, defeating British boxer Anthony Joshua. The Ukrainian defended the title five times and won in all fights. Once he defeated Joshua twice, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury.
