Mauricio Sulaiman says Kabayel remains first in line despite controversy surrounding Usyk’s stoppage win over Rico Verhoeven
Oleksandr Usyk is still expected to defend his heavyweight titles against Agit Kabayel next despite the backlash surrounding the controversial stoppage against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Kabayel remains the mandatory challenger after the dramatic finish in Giza.
“Kabayel versus Usyk is next,” Sulaiman said to Boxingscene.
Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs) entered the ring during the post-fight interviews after Usyk stopped Verhoeven in the 11th round. Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh later said he wants to stage Usyk-Kabayel at a soccer stadium in Germany.
Kabayel moved into position for the title shot after stopping Frank Sanchez, Zhilei Zhang, and Damian Knyba in consecutive fights.
The ending to Usyk-Verhoeven has created calls for a rematch after referee Mark Lyson waved the fight off moments after the bell sounded in the 11th round.
“Live, at the heat of the moment, [the stoppage] seemed to be early,” Sulaiman said. “Rico was even winning the fight at some point.”
“After looking at the replays [and] speaking with [Lyson] and with a cooler state of mind, I’m certain it was a correct stoppage. However, I fully understand those who didn’t like it.”
Verhoeven, fighting in just his second professional boxing match, gave Usyk problems throughout the fight and was ahead on some scorecards before the stoppage.
Kabayel’s promoter, Frank Warren, has already called for the WBC to force Usyk into a mandatory defense or strip him if he goes in another direction.
Alalshikh says a Usyk-Verhoeven rematch could still happen later in Holland after Usyk faces Kabayel.