Usyk’s future fight plans leave WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel waiting for his mandatory shot
Oleksandr Usyk may be heading toward a clash with the WBC. The heavyweight champion outlined future fights that do not include mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
The WBC recently approved Usyk’s title defence against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, a bout scheduled for May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt as the main event of a Ring Magazine promotion. While originally expected to feature a commemorative strap, the sanctioning body later confirmed the contest would be for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title.
The decision immediately drew criticism because Verhoeven has only one professional boxing bout on record. The Dutch star stopped 0-6 heavyweight Janos Finfera in the second round of their 2014 contest and has not appeared in a boxing ring since.
Kabayel presents a very different challenge compared with Verhoeven. The unbeaten German heavyweight invests heavily in body shots, a strategy that helped him break down Zhilei Zhang. Against a technician like Usyk, the contest would likely hinge on whether Kabayel can close the distance and force exchanges on the inside.
Usyk enters the fight with momentum after stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their July rematch, a performance that confirmed him as a three-time, two-division undisputed champion. Even at 39, the Ukrainian has made it clear he is not finished yet.
Speaking to Inside the Ring, Usyk revealed he still wants several more fights before retirement and outlined the path he hopes to follow after facing Verhoeven.
His plan includes pursuing another undisputed heavyweight clash with the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois, scheduled for May 9, before exploring a third fight with Tyson Fury.
One potential opponent already appears off the table. When asked about rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma, Usyk dismissed the idea.
“No, I’m not going to fight with Itauma because he’s a young guy. I don’t want to break this guy.”
The WBC, however, has already issued its own direction. President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that interim champion Agit Kabayel is the mandatory challenger and should be next after the Verhoeven defence.
Kabayel secured the interim belt in February 2025 with a win over Zhilei Zhang and later defended the title against Damian Knyba in Germany. The unbeaten heavyweight now holds a 27-0 record with 19 knockouts.
Usyk’s recent interview outlining his final stretch of fights made no reference to Kabayel, raising the possibility that the Ukrainian could move ahead with other matchups instead.
If that happens, the WBC could strip Usyk of the green and gold belt, potentially leaving the division’s championship picture shifting again depending on how the sanctioning bodies respond after the Verhoeven bout.