Wardley, 30, was the number one contender to face Ukrainian icon Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight titles.

But the WBO announced tonight that Usyk has decided to relinquish that belt – meaning that WBO interim champ Wardley has been upgraded to champion of the world.

Fabio Wardley beat Joseph Parker last month to win the WBO interim title (Image: PA)

The heavy-handed heavyweight (20-0-1, 19 KO) has reached the top of the boxing world having sensationally stopped ex-world champ Joseph Parker at the O2 Arena last month.

That win put him next in line to face Usyk, a fight which Wardley’s promoter Frank Warren suggested his team had started negotiating recently.

But now it seems Usyk has decided against facing Wardley, one of his former sparring partners, meaning the ex-Chantry High student becomes Suffolk’s first boxing world champion.

It is a sensational story for Wardley, who only started boxing ten years ago to stay fit while working behind a desk as a recruitment consultant.

He had just four white collar fights before turning professional, and has since defied the odds at every turn, winning the English, British, European and Commonwealth titles – and now the WBO world title.

AND THE NEW! @FabioWardley is the new WBO Heavyweight Champion of the world! 🌎 👑

Massive congratulations Fabio and team 👏 pic.twitter.com/3AIXXlUIF8

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) November 17, 2025

In a statement, the WBO said: “The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO heavyweight championship.

“After thoughtful consideration, Usyk has elected to relinquish the title.”

It adds: “We accept and respect his decision to relinquish the WBO Super Heavyweight Championship. This is not a farewell, but – as expressed by his team – a respectful pause.

“The doors of the WBO will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team.”

Conforming the news, Warren’s Queensberry Promotions tweeted: “Fabio Wardley is the new WBO heavyweight champion of the world.

“Massive congratulations Fabio and team.”

Fabio Wardley is Suffolk’s first boxing world champion (Image: Steven Paston)

Speaking to the EADT and Star last week, Wardley said he hoped to face Usyk.

But, of the scenario which has now unfolded, he said: “I’d be elevated to full world champion, so I’d get the belt and I’d be able to defend it.

“So then I’d have a world title defence against someone of my choosing.”

Queensberry and Wardley will now begin the process of planning the Suffolk man’s first defence of that world title, with a long list of potential challengers to consider.

Writing on social media tonight, Rob Hodgins – the man who has coached Wardley since day one of his boxing journey – paid tribute to the Suffolk star.

He wrote: “From walking through those doors in 2017 with your pink 16oz gloves, I told everyone and anyone who would listen that you’d be world champion.

“Everyone laughed at us, but we always knew where we wanted to be – at the very top. I love you Fabio Wardley, I’ve never been so proud of anything in my life and no-one deserves it more than you.

“WBO champion has a lovely ring to it. This is just the beginning.”

Ipswich Town, the club Wardley supports – he wears the Town badge and colours into the ring – tweeted their congratulations tonight too.

Suffolk has a World Champion. 💙

An incredible achievement, huge congratulations. @FabioWardley 🥊 https://t.co/2R9eo6KRwf

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) November 17, 2025

The club shared: “Suffolk has a World Champion 💙

“An incredible achievement, huge congratulations Fabio Wardley.”