The new WBC heavyweight champion says Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Moses Itauma or any leading contender can challenge for his title
Agit Kabayel says becoming WBC heavyweight champion will not change how he approaches his career. The German insists he is ready to defend his title against any leading contender, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua or Moses Itauma.
“For me it’s no problem,” Kabayel said to Ring Magazine. “I fight everyone now. For me, it’s good.”
Fury has been linked with a return after announcing plans to face Anthony Joshua later this year, while rising British star Itauma meets Filip Hrgovic in August in what many view as his toughest test to date. Joshua is also expected to return before the end of the year, leaving several marquee options available for the new WBC champion.
Kabayel said he isn’t concerned about who eventually emerges as his mandatory challenger.
“When the #1 challenger is ready, I fight everyone,” he said. “When my father called me out for my belt, I fight with him.”
The 32-year-old also welcomed the possibility of sharing the ring with Fury despite the mutual respect between them outside it.
“I’m respected him a lot,” Kabayel said. “He’s my big brother. When he says, ‘Agit, I want the belt,’ I say, ‘No problem. Come on, brother. We’ll make the fight.'”
Kabayel’s stock has risen dramatically over the past two years with victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang, establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders before being elevated to full WBC champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the title.
With the heavyweight division entering another period of change, Kabayel insists he has no intention of taking a softer route now that he owns a world championship.
If Fury, Joshua, Itauma or another leading contender steps forward, Kabayel’s message remains the same.
“I fight everyone.”
