Frank Warren says Agit Kabayel set for world title fight

Interim champion Agit Kabayel moves into position to force a WBC title defence following Usyk’s Rico Verhoeven fight

Agit Kabayel has secured the WBC mandatory position and is next in line to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight title. Usyk’s May 23 fight with Rico Verhoeven now places the WBC belt at stake if the required defence is not met.

Kabayel has built his position through recent stoppage wins, including a comeback finish against Zhilei Zhang in February 2025 and a third-round stoppage of Damian Knyba in his latest outing. Those results secured his interim status and moved him into line for a full title shot.

Frank Warren confirmed how the WBC position now stands.

“After [the Verhoeven fight, Usyk is] supposed to make his WBC [title] defence against Kabayel. That’s what the position is, so we’ll see what happens. If he doesn’t want to [fight Kabayel], he’ll be stripped [of the WBC title],” Warren told Boxing News.

Usyk’s immediate schedule is already set, with the Verhoeven fight booked at the Pyramids of Giza. He has also mentioned a future bout with the winner of Fabio Wardley against Daniel Dubois, which adds further movement around the title picture.

Kabayel is expected to return later this year, with Warren indicating that his next fight will be for a world title. No opponent has been confirmed.

A potential return to Germany remains under consideration, offering Kabayel a home setting for what would be the biggest fight of his career.

If the WBC enforces its position, Usyk will have to defend next or risk losing the belt.

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