Good news for Agit Kabayel: The WBC insists on a mandatory defense of champion Oleksandr Usyk against the German.
Agit Kabayel’s long wait for a world title fight could soon be over. Following Oleksandr Usyk’s title defense against Rico Verhoeven, the WBC has made it unmistakably clear that the Ukrainian must now make his mandatory defense against the German interim world champion. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to Sky Sports that the voluntary title defense against Verhoeven was merely an exception. “The WBC’s decision was very clear. We accepted Usyk’s request for a voluntary title defense, which has now taken place. Now we have the mandatory fight between Usyk and interim champion Kabayel.”
For the man from Bochum, it would be the reward for an impressive run. Since winning the interim title, Kabayel has finally established himself at the top of the world rankings with strong performances and has repeatedly emphasized that his only goal is a world championship fight against Usyk. Particularly interesting: The WBC also makes it clear that an immediate rematch between Usyk and Verhoeven is currently not an option. Should the Ukrainian nevertheless wish to take a different path, he would have to relinquish his WBC belt. According to Kabayel, Usyk now has 30 days to accept the fight and agree a date with the “Leberking”.
How exactly the federation would proceed in the event of a title relinquishment is still open. However, it seems clear that the path now leads towards Usyk against Kabayel. This is an important signal for the German heavyweight star. After months of speculation and uncertainty, the world federation is clearly strengthening the position of its mandatory challenger. The world championship dream is more alive than ever – and for the first time a fight against Usyk actually seems within reach.
Text by Robin Josten