Fabio Wardley is the new WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate the belt rather than defend it against the unbeaten Brit.

The WBO said Monday that Usyk (24-0) has formally relinquished the title, clearing the path for Wardley’s elevation from interim to full champion. Usyk unified the heavyweight titles in July with a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois and still holds the WBA, WBC and IBF belts.

“The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO heavyweight championship,” the WBO said in a statement. “After thoughtful consideration, Usyk has elected to relinquish the title.”

Wardley (20-0-1) earned his interim strap last month with a dramatic 11th-round stoppage

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