British heavyweight Fabio Wardley has stumbled upon one of the luckiest breaks a fighter could have in his career as he found himself elevated after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his WBO title. The move by Usyk effectively means there is no longer an undisputed champion in the heavyweight division and might mean the Ukrainian is signaling a potential retirement from the sport.
Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KO’s), 30, conquered the WBO interim heavyweight (200+ lbs) title last month in an upset win over then-incumbent New Zealand champion Joseph Parker (36-4, 20 KO’s).
Wardley’s promotion was confirmed yesterday by the WBO who indicated the elevation was approved by the organization’s Championship Committee in an official statement:
“Consistent with established procedure, the Committee will evaluate and act upon the status of the current WBO interim Heavyweight Champion, Fabio Wardley,” The WBO’s press release states.
“As such, the Committee will proceed without delay to elevate Fabio Wardley to Full Champion status, subject to ratification and issuance of the corresponding Championship Resolution.
“The Committee will also deliberate on the next relevant steps regarding Wardley’s first mandatory defense, including timelines, challenger designation, and any additional measures required pursuant to the WBO Regulations.“
The sanctioning body’s move follows Oleksandr Usyk’s (24-0, 15 KO’s) relinquishment of the WBO title, speculated to be due to his inability or unwillingness to face Wardley who was next in line to face Usyk after capturing the interim title.
Usyk, 38, had been dealing with an injury prior to his abdication which might give clues to his decision to vacate the WBO title. As of now, Usyk still remains the unified heavyweight champion and currently holds the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, though with no confirmation on the exact reason for the relinquishment, a potential retirement for the Ukrainian champion can not be discounted.
Wardley’s elevation places him in the rather undistinguished list of being an “email champion”. Wardley is also the first boxer after two decades to be promoted to world champion after John Ruiz was promoted from his status as interim champion in 2004 following the departure of then-WBA champion Roy Jones Jr. from the heavyweight division.
