Usyk no longer undisputed champion

The Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk is no longer recognized as the undisputed world champion. The athlete has voluntarily relinquished his WBO title.

This was officially announced by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). According to the WBO statement, Usyk thoroughly reviewed his situation and decided to return the title.

The precise reasons behind this decision have not been disclosed. Despite losing the WBO title, 37-year-old Usyk retains his world championship titles in the WBA, WBC, and IBF divisions.

He earned these titles after defeating Daniel Dubois during a fight held at Wembley Stadium in the summer of 2024. Following that match, Usyk became the undisputed world champion for the second time.

Oleksandr Usyk had claimed the WBO title back in September 2021 after defeating Anthony Joshua in London. He successfully defended this title five times over a span of three years.

In May 2024, Usyk defeated Tyson Fury and unified all the major heavyweight championship titles. However, in June of the same year, he relinquished the IBF title as he refused to fulfill its mandatory defense requirements.

Formally, he remained the interim holder of the IBF title but lost full recognition of it. Now, after relinquishing the WBO title as well, Usyk has forfeited his undisputed champion status.

According to the WBO, Usyk was mandated to compete against British boxer Fabio Wardley but declined to comply with the organization's order. As a result, the WBO title automatically passed to the unbeaten British fighter.

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