In a significant development for the world of boxing, undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has officially vacated his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title. The sanctioning body made the announcement on Monday, which corresponds to Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Philippine time.
New WBO Champion Crowned
The prestigious WBO heavyweight belt will now pass to British fighter Fabio Wardley, who earned his shot at the title by achieving interim champion status last month. Wardley secured his position with an impressive 11th-round stoppage victory against former champion Joseph Parker.
While Wardley had been officially mandated to face Usyk for the championship, the Ukrainian champion made the decision to step aside from this obligation. The WBO characterized this move as a "respectful pause" coming from Usyk's camp, indicating the professional manner in which the transition was handled.
Usyk's Current Standing and Boxing Legacy
Despite relinquishing the WBO title, the 38-year-old Usyk remains one of the most dominant forces in heavyweight boxing. The Ukrainian champion became undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time after defeating Daniel Dubois in July of this year.
Usyk continues to hold three other major world titles, maintaining his championship status with the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) belts. This strategic move allows him to focus on his remaining championships while enabling the WBO division to move forward.
For Fabio Wardley, this elevation to full champion status marks a significant career milestone. He now joins an elite group of British fighters who have held the WBO heavyweight belt, following in the footsteps of boxing legends and champions including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Henry Akinwande, Herbie Hide, and Michael Bentt.
Paul vs Joshua: The December Showdown
In other major boxing news that has captured global attention, YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul is set to face former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a highly anticipated eight-round professional bout.
The fight is scheduled for December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, promising to be one of the most watched boxing events of the year. In a modern twist for fight broadcasting, the match will be streamed live on Netflix, making it accessible to a massive global audience.
Jake Paul, 28, brings an impressive professional record of 12-1 with seven knockouts to this matchup. His most recent victory came in June when he defeated former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision, continuing his remarkable transition from internet personality to legitimate boxer.
Anthony Joshua, 36, represents one of the most accomplished opponents Paul has faced. The British boxer is a two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, though he has been inactive since losing to Daniel Dubois in an IBF title fight in September 2024. This matchup marks Joshua's return to the ring after more than a year away from competitive boxing.
These developments signal an exciting period for heavyweight boxing, with established champions making strategic decisions about their careers while new matchups capture the imagination of sports fans worldwide. The combination of traditional championship boxing with crossover entertainment events continues to expand the sport's global reach.
