Oleksandr Usyk gives up WBO title, no longer 'absolute champion'

Oleksandr Usyk has decided to relinquish his WBO heavyweight title after announcing he will not make a mandatory title defense against British boxer Fabio Wardley.

Usyk gives up WBO championship belt, no longer "absolute boxing champion" - Photo: REUTERS

This information was confirmed by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in the early morning of November 18. WBO said they had received "official notification" from the team of boxer Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine).

Usyk (38 years old) was described by WBO as "having carefully considered before deciding to give up the championship belt".

Daily Mail (UK) quoted a source close to Usyk saying the reason the Ukrainian boxer refused to fight was due to injury.

The Cat (Usyk's nickname) has not shown any signs of returning to the ring soon since defeating British opponent Daniel Dubois in July.

According to Sky Sports (UK), Wardley (30 years old) is expected to receive the WBO heavyweight championship belt from Usyk.

Losing the WBO belt, Usyk is no longer the "absolute boxing champion" but he will still hold the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight belts. WBO President Gustavo Olivieri paid tribute to Usyk and called the Ukrainian boxer "the champion of champions".

"The WBO sends its deepest respect, admiration and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated two-division world champion and WBO undisputed champion," Olivieri said.

HOAI DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/oleksandr-usyk-bo-dai-vo-dich-wbo-khong-con-la-nha-vo-dich-tuyet-doi-20251118055148446.htm