Despite all the discussions about a rematch against Rico Verhoeven, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has now decided that Oleksandr Usyk must first face Agit Kabayel.
WBC world champion Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial T.K.O. victory over kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven threatens to shake up the heavyweight division once again. Referee Mark Lyson stopped the world championship fight on Saturday after the final bell of the eleventh round, which caused outrage among many. As a result, there were calls for a rematch immediately after the “gift” victory for the Ukrainian. The end of a world championship duel between Usyk and interim champion Agit Kabayel this year in a German stadium?
Defend or resign your title
It’s duty before freestyle, affirmed Mauricio Sulaiman “Kabayel against Usyk is next up,” the WBC President told BoxingScene. The heavyweight hero from the Ruhrpott had personally traveled to the “Glory in Giza” boxing event to challenge Usyk. Kabayel’s promoter Frank Warren had already urged the WBC to either force Usyk to defend his title or to strip him of it.
“The battle must take place this year”
But for WBC boss Sulaiman, who had approved Usyk’s voluntary title defense against boxing novice Verhoeven, everything seems to be clear. “Agit is the WBC interim champion and mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk. He has earned this.” Sulaiman went on to emphasize: “The fight between Agit and Oleksandr must take place this year. We will schedule it.”
The official also commented on the controversial stoppage at the WBC World Heavyweight Championship . “Usyk won and I applaud the referee,” said Sulaiman. “I’m very proud of Mark Lyson because the referee’s responsibility is to protect the integrity and welfare of the fighters. He doesn’t care about the bell ringing – he sees the eyes of the boxer involved and realizes how much he is hurting. Better a punch too early than a punch too late.”
Text: Frank Schwantes