Agit Kabayel wants to get his world championship fight – personally. The WBC interim champ has announced that he will challenge Usyk directly in the ring after his Verhoeven fight in Egypt.
Agit Kabayel brings movement into the discussion about a possible world championship fight against Oleksandr Usyk. The German heavyweight announced on the sidelines of the Icon League Final in Zurich that he would be there in person for the fight between Usyk and Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt – with a clear mission: to challenge the Ukrainian directly in the ring after a possible victory.
Kabayel considers himself to have long been in a good sporting position. As WBC interim world champion, the 33-year-old has the right to a mandatory fight against Usyk. The federation has ordered the duel for the fall, but the situation remains open. Particularly interesting: According to Kabayel, the Riyadh Season is said to be very interested in bringing such a fight to Germany. There has been speculation for weeks about a possible stadium fight on German soil.
Usyk had also recently indicated, at least cautiously, that a fight against Kabayel was conceivable. At the same time, the champion made it clear that his career plans remained flexible and that he would not allow himself to be put under pressure. Kabayel seems to be choosing the direct route for precisely this reason. Instead of waiting and seeing, the Bochum native wants to take the initiative – and challenge Usyk to a fight face to face.
Text by Robin Josten