If Oleksandr Usyk were to vacate his WBC title, Tyson Fury could unexpectedly become Agit Kabayel’s next opponent.
The potential world championship bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Agit Kabayel remains somewhat up in the air. Although the WBC has officially ordered a mandatory title defense, if the Ukrainian were to relinquish his belt, a completely new scenario could unfold—one in which Tyson Fury plays a leading role.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán made it clear to Betway that the former world champion continues to hold a high standing within the organization. “Tyson Fury was one of the WBC’s greatest ambassadors and one of its proudest world champions. I have the utmost respect for him, his family, and his team,” said Sulaimán. “If he ever fights for the WBC title again, I will definitely be there.”
Things got even more interesting when the WBC president was asked about Fury’s position in the rankings. “Tyson Fury is number one in the WBC rankings. When he returned, we placed him where he belongs. Agit Kabayel is Oleksandr Usyk’s mandatory challenger, but Tyson Fury is our number-one challenger.”
This could make Fury the deciding factor if Usyk decides to relinquish the WBC title. In that case, a bout between Kabayel and Fury for the vacant world championship would certainly be conceivable. For the German interim world champion, this wouldn’t be the fight against Usyk he’d hoped for, but it would still be a chance to win the most important title of his career.
For now, however, all eyes are on June 30. By then, Usyk’s and Kabayel’s teams must agree on the terms of the world title fight. If no agreement is reached, a purse bid will follow—and possibly a whole new dynamic at the top of the heavyweight division very soon.
Text by Robin Josten