Just 23 days after his thrilling comeback stoppage win over Joseph Parker, Fabio Wardley is the new WBO world heavyweight champion, after it emerged today that the sanctioning body received a notification that undisputed beltholder Oleksandr Usyk was relinquishing his title.

A month shy of his 31st birthday and during the start of a fight week where two other Brits seek to claim world honours abroad on a stacked Ring IV show in Riyadh, Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs) has been reposting messages since the WBO's social media post swiftly gained traction.

In said announcement, the WBO called this news a 'respectful pause - not a farewell', something expressed to them by the unbeaten Ukrainian's team themselves. They instead took the time to honour Usyk's achievements, with president Gustavo Olivieri praising his longevity at the top of a sport which waits for no-one.

Olympic 2012 champion Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) first challenged for a WBO regional title a year into his professional career, in his native Ukraine with a ninth-round stoppage win over 19-6 pro Danie Venter before making three defences - all knockouts - before a world title shot.

He outpointed then-unbeaten cruiserweight champion Krzystzof Glowacki with a 12-round points win in Poland, before a trio of defences stateside and in Germany against Thabiso Mchunu, Michael Hunter and Marco Huck preceded his unification attempt against WBC ruler Mairis Briedis, who to this day still remains arguably his career-toughest challenge.

"The WBO extends its profound respect, admiration, and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, an undefeated, two-division, WBO Undisputed world champion, and a fighter who has earned and exemplified every right, privilege, and honor associated with the WBO Super Champion distinction. His career stands as one of the most extraordinary and historic of the modern boxing era."

Frank Warren, Wardley's promoter and Queensberry chief, also acknowledged the news in a social media message. He said: "Britain has a new heavyweight world champion and a new star of the sport. One of my most incredible stories I've seen in my 45 years as a promoter and I could not be prouder of Fabio Wardley. Some huge fights ahead for 2026 as he defends his WBO belt and creates a true legacy in the sport."

Speculation surrounding Usyk's next move will continue to intensify as a result of this decision, having already been ordered to begin negotiations with the fan-friendly Ipswich puncher, who he first sparred as a four-bout novice - still then a recruitment consultant - back in 2018.

Two weeks ago, Olivieri told The Ring that Wardley would have to face mandatory challenger Moses Itauma if the Usyk fight wasn't made for any reason.

"The committee reserves the right to enforce a mandatory on the interim champion, if Usyk is not available for any justified reason, we would enforce a mandatory."

Now he'll be elevated rather than remain as interim champion, it's unclear what will happen next, given Wardley's gymmate Itauma is scheduled to box Jermaine Franklin in the headliner of Queensberry's Manchester show come January 24 and the promotion have been carefully matching them away from one another on separate paths.