The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned a title fight between world heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and interim champion Agit Kabayel from Germany.
This was announced by WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán during an appearance on Pro Box TV.
Usyk must face Kabayel in order to retain his status as unified world champion. If he refuses the bout with the German challenger, the Ukrainian will be forced to vacate the WBC title — one of the three major belts he holds in the heavyweight division.
Kabayel, who won the interim championship belt in a fight against China’s “giant” Zhang Zhilei (ironically, the belt was then presented to the German of Kurdish origin by Usyk himself), stepped into the ring after the Usyk vs. Verhoeven bout in Egypt and expressed his desire to face the Ukrainian later this year in Germany. The Olympic champion accepted the challenge without hesitation.
It should also be noted that in his most recent fight, Kabayel defended his interim title in January 2026 against Poland’s Damian Knyba, winning by technical knockout in the third three-minute round.
