Fabio Wardley set for WBO heavyweight title after Oleksandr Usyk vacates belt

Usyk has decided to relinquish the title rather than defend it against Wardley

Fabio Wardley claimed the interim WBO heavyweight title from Joseph Parker last month. Pic: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Fabio Wardley is set to be upgraded to WBO heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk elected to relinquish the title rather than defend it against the unbeaten Briton.

Wardley wrested the interim title from Joseph Parker via a dramatic 11th-round stoppage last month and was mandated to face the Ukrainian before the end of September.