Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished the WBO heavyweight title.

Fabio Wardley had emerged as the next challenger for Usyk after he earned the WBO interim title with a stunning 11th round-stoppage of Joseph Parker at The O2 last month and will now be elevated to full WBO champion, Sky Sports News understands.

Usyk was told by the WBO that he must face the Parker vs Wardley winner in September, but the Ukrainian's second reign as undisputed champion is now over after the WBO confirmed he had vacated the belt.

The unbeaten Wardley had welcomed a fight against Usyk, telling Sky Sports: "That has been the goal for a number of years now.

"That's been the objective. That's been everything I've wanted."

But the Ipswich boxer has been denied the chance to challenge Usyk, who could have been defen

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