Oleksandr Usyk vs. Agit Kabayel - Who wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Frank-Warren not 'going to p*ss around', will sue the WBC if Oleksandr Usyk-Agit Kabayel not ordered

Frank-Warren has threatened to take legal action against the World Boxing Council (WBC) if they do not officially order champion Oleksandr Usyk to defend his belt against interim title holder Agit Kabayel next.

Germany’s Kabayel won the vacant interim strap with an impressive sixth round finish of Zhilei Zhang in February 2025. Since then, the German has been waiting patiently for his shot at champion Usyk while defending his interim title against Damian Knyba in Oberhausen, Germany in January, winning inside three rounds at a sold-out Rudolf Weber-Arena.

The WBC announced at their annual convention in December that they would permit Usyk a voluntary defense – then expected to be against Deontay Wilder – before ordering him to then face Kabayel. Since then, the WBC has faced criticism for sanctioning Usyk's defense against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 16 in Egypt. Verhoeven has fought once professionally, winning a scheduled four-round contest by knockout against the 0-5 Janos Finfera, 12 whole years ago.

Even before a title was on the line, the contest itself was ridiculed due to Usyk having a long line of worthy challengers – Kabayel perhaps at the front – and taking on the wholly undeserving Verhoeven to essentially put the rest of the division on hold.

Following Usyk’s expected victory over Verhoeven, the Ukrainian had stated he wished to face the winner of the May 9 WBO title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois with Tyson Fury to follow. Usyk already has two wins over each of Dubois and Fury.

“Kabayel's number one in the WBC, and the fight goes on in Egypt between Usyk and Rico Verhoeven, and afterwards the WBC will have to order the mandatory, and if they don't, we will sue them,” Warren told Boxing Scene. “I'm telling you, I'm not going to piss around with this, Agit [Kabayel] deserves his opportunity, he should be in there, and if anyone tries to duck that fight, then he'll have to vacate, it's as simple as that. Fight Agit or vacate.

“We are not going to stand for it, why would an organisation not order that fight, why wouldn't you? We just sold out the arena [in Kabayel’s last fight] in a day, which we could have sold out three times over. It's not like he's some guy where you're not going to earn any money, that's a football stadium fight between him and Usyk. I want to see it. I’m a big fan of Usyk’s, he's a real warrior, why wouldn't he want to fight him?”

Warren’s Queensberry Promotions are also currently in a legal dispute with organizations Riyadh Season and Sela.

[golden_labrador]

it's the season for war everywhere. hope something happens and either we see the fight or Kabayel fights someone for it. I'll be at the fight if it's in Germany 100%.

[joshj909]

I'd rather he just get Kabayel an actual good defence in the meantime rather than sitting on his position. If the wider fans or Turki don't call for it, Usyk's less likely to do it. If Kabayel becomes the forgotten man, which he has already become, then people aren't going to demand it. If Kabayel beat someone relevant or known like Parker, Okolie, Hrgovic, Hunter, Ajagba, Bakole etc then the fans would be demanding it.

[KiwiRider]

Go Fwank!
These lying bastards who don't even follow their own rules need a good Fwank spank.

[gilgamesh]

I'd rather he just get Kabayel an actual good defence in the meantime rather than sitting on his position. If the wider fans or Turki don't call for it, Usyk's less likely to do it. If Kabayel becomes the forgotten man, which he has already become, then people aren't going to demand it. If Kabayel beat someone relevant or known like Parker, Okolie, Hrgovic, Hunter, Ajagba, Bakole etc then the fans would be demanding it.

Trying to sue or whine your way into a big fight is never the right career move. It usually winds up stalling your career by a year or longer and costing you money rather than making you any. Just staying active and keeping your name on the tip of everyone's tongue and the front of everyone's mind is definitely the best way to stay relevant in Boxing.

[coneye]

I'd rather he just get Kabayel an actual good defence in the meantime rather than sitting on his position. If the wider fans or Turki don't call for it, Usyk's less likely to do it. If Kabayel becomes the forgotten man, which he has already become, then people aren't going to demand it. If Kabayel beat someone relevant or known like Parker, Okolie, Hrgovic, Hunter, Ajagba, Bakole etc then the fans would be demanding it.

Trying to sue or whine your way into a big fight is never the right career move. It usually winds up stalling your career by a year or longer and costing you money rather than making you any. Just staying active and keeping your name on the tip of everyone's tongue and the front of everyone's mind is definitely the best way to stay relevant in Boxing.

Normaly i would say your right BUT were talking Frank here. I got no doubt he will some how get Usyk stripped . HIS FIGHTER named champ . Then he,ll start with the other belts and eventually probably 3 ..4 world champs all in his stable . No doubt about it Franks the man LOL

[johnmanchester]

Verhoeven has fought once professionally, winning a scheduled four-round contest by knockout against the 0-5 Janos Finfera, 12 whole years ago.

Weird line in the article, given the guy is like some undefeated world heavyweight kickboxing champion in the only kickboxing promotion which matters.

He's beaten some serious people in his own sport. Obviously not a cat in hell's chance against Usyk but this article makes it sound like he's some guy who's only ever fought professionally once.

[JC]

I'd rather he just get Kabayel an actual good defence in the meantime rather than sitting on his position. If the wider fans or Turki don't call for it, Usyk's less likely to do it. If Kabayel becomes the forgotten man, which he has already become, then people aren't going to demand it. If Kabayel beat someone relevant or known like Parker, Okolie, Hrgovic, Hunter, Ajagba, Bakole etc then the fans would be demanding it.

Trying to sue or whine your way into a big fight is never the right career move. It usually winds up stalling your career by a year or longer and costing you money rather than making you any. Just staying active and keeping your name on the tip of everyone's tongue and the front of everyone's mind is definitely the best way to stay relevant in Boxing.

Normaly i would say your right BUT were talking Frank here. I got no doubt he will some how get Usyk stripped . HIS FIGHTER named champ . Then he,ll start with the other belts and eventually probably 3 ..4 world champs all in his stable . No doubt about it Franks the man LOL

That’s a good point. I think after Kabayel’s last fight, Warren believes it’s worth building him as a star in Germany.

[fifth_root]

Whether you like Frank or not, this is the only right thing to do here, as Usyk took a shameful step while holding all these belts. It's even a cowardly move. I get it, Dubois proved he fakes low blows, and now having to face the man who dismantles his opponents' bodies is highly dangerous, but then don't get too much credit for being that great.

Rico isn't some yesterday's athlete, yes, nor was Ngannou, but obviously, the difference in sports matters. And this fight should not be considered any defence, even if we exclude the voluntary option of Kabayel, the top 15 includes enough decent boxers. Rico is not even in the WBC ranking.

People criticised Fury for taking a fight against Ngannou, and it was a poor decision indeed, but at least it was not a defence.

[gilgamesh]

Whether you like Frank or not, this is the only right thing to do here, as Usyk took a shameful step while holding all these belts. It's even a cowardly move. I get it, Dubois proved he fakes low blows, and now having to face the man who dismantles his opponents' bodies is highly dangerous, but then don't get too much credit for being that great.

Rico isn't some yesterday's athlete, yes, nor was Ngannou, but obviously, the difference in sports matters. And this fight should not be considered any defence, even if we exclude the voluntary option of Kabayel, the top 15 includes enough decent boxers. Rico is not even in the WBC ranking.

People criticised Fury for taking a fight against Ngannou, and it was a poor decision indeed, but at least it was not a defence.

What if Ngannou had gotten the decision? Would Ngannou have been the Heavyweight Boxing Champion? He came within 1 point of it by the way.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Agit Kabayel waits for Usyk-Verhoeven before deciding next steps

Not for the first time in recent years, Agit Kabayel is being told to sit and wait patiently.

The 33-year-old should be all guns blazing towards a big summer bout, but instead after headlining Oberhausen's Rudolf Weber-Arena in January, momentum has again stalled for The Ring's No. 2-rated heavyweight. Despite a stuttering opening round, he got the job done to scyth down Poland's Damian Knyba in three on January 10.

He made sure to call out Ring and unified king Oleksandr Usyk as well as WBO beltholder Fabio Wardley post-fight, the division's two full titleholders at a time where elite heavyweights are few and far between as the generational shift from yesteryear to the new, unproven youngsters continues to take centre stage.

Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) is the sport's hottest prospect and marked his return last month with a fearsome fifth-round finish of longtime contender Jermaine Franklin in the 21-year-old's toughest test to date.

Filip Hrgovic isn't yet convinced by his minerals, though the bullish Croatian features among several moving pieces taking shape over the next six weeks. Kabayel has already rejected the prospect of facing WBC's No. 1-rated contender Lawrence Okolie, who faces Tony Yoka atop Queensberry's April 25 show in Paris, France.

Later that same night, Jarrell Miller (27-1-2, 22 KOs) looks to end Lenier Pero's perfect 13-0 run in their WBA title eliminator. On May 9, Wardley makes the first defense of his WBO crown against former IBF titlist Dubois, whose first career reset began with a character-building tenth-round stoppage of Miller in December 2023. He looks to rebound after yet another stoppage defeat by Usyk in a fight many hope the new champion wins, and does well.

Kabayel was close, on more than one occasion, to snaring Dubois himself, though was also said to be boxing a British opponent in another Germany homecoming next month. As time has passed, it's proven not the case.

"We talked with allegedly and Spencer Brown, the plan is now to wait for Usyk-Verhoeven. I'm just waiting for the situation to sort itself out, Usyk will fight me or vacate the title, that [waiting] is the best option for me and then the results will show themselves," Kabayel told The Ring when asked about a return timeline.

"We have a small plan, back out in September or October with an organization in Germany," he continued, having traveled to London in support of his 'big brother' Tyson Fury, who doubled down on a desire to only fight Anthony Joshua or Usyk next after cruising to a 12-round decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov last weekend.

"Experiences like this push me even more to bring major fight nights back to Germany," was part of a post Kabayel shared on Instagram, as he wonders aloud when he'll finally get an opportunity for his crowning moment.

[keithmoonhangover]

Say what you want about the WBC, they back their champion.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Say what you want about the WBC, they back their champion.

a bit too much sometimes...

[keithmoonhangover]

Say what you want about the WBC, they back their champion.

a bit too much sometimes...

Yeah, the Dillian Whyte mandatory thing was disgraceful.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Say what you want about the WBC, they back their champion.

a bit too much sometimes...

Yeah, the Dillian Whyte mandatory thing was disgraceful.

I mean he was interim. So they didn’t care too much. Haha

[deadpan]

Whether you like Frank or not, this is the only right thing to do here, as Usyk took a shameful step while holding all these belts. It's even a cowardly move. I get it, Dubois proved he fakes low blows, and now having to face the man who dismantles his opponents' bodies is highly dangerous, but then don't get too much credit for being that great.

Rico isn't some yesterday's athlete, yes, nor was Ngannou, but obviously, the difference in sports matters. And this fight should not be considered any defence, even if we exclude the voluntary option of Kabayel, the top 15 includes enough decent boxers. Rico is not even in the WBC ranking.

People criticised Fury for taking a fight against Ngannou, and it was a poor decision indeed, but at least it was not a defence.

What if Ngannou had gotten the decision? Would Ngannou have been the Heavyweight Boxing Champion? He came within 1 point of it by the way.

It was a 10 rounder, so no.

[gilgamesh]

Whether you like Frank or not, this is the only right thing to do here, as Usyk took a shameful step while holding all these belts. It's even a cowardly move. I get it, Dubois proved he fakes low blows, and now having to face the man who dismantles his opponents' bodies is highly dangerous, but then don't get too much credit for being that great.

Rico isn't some yesterday's athlete, yes, nor was Ngannou, but obviously, the difference in sports matters. And this fight should not be considered any defence, even if we exclude the voluntary option of Kabayel, the top 15 includes enough decent boxers. Rico is not even in the WBC ranking.

People criticised Fury for taking a fight against Ngannou, and it was a poor decision indeed, but at least it was not a defence.

What if Ngannou had gotten the decision? Would Ngannou have been the Heavyweight Boxing Champion? He came within 1 point of it by the way.

It was a 10 rounder, so no.

So Gene Tunney didn't beat Jack Dempsey for the Heavyweight Title back in 1926 in a 10 rounder?

[deadpan]

What if Ngannou had gotten the decision? Would Ngannou have been the Heavyweight Boxing Champion? He came within 1 point of it by the way.

It was a 10 rounder, so no.

So Gene Tunney didn't beat Jack Dempsey for the Heavyweight Title back in 1926 in a 10 rounder?

And only a mere century ago. Tyson and Francis would have needed access to Doc Brown's DeLorean for that point to have any validity.

[gilgamesh]

It was a 10 rounder, so no.

So Gene Tunney didn't beat Jack Dempsey for the Heavyweight Title back in 1926 in a 10 rounder?

And only a mere century ago. Tyson and Francis would have needed access to Doc Brown's DeLorean for that point to have any validity.

15 and 20 rounders were the norm at that time in Championship bouts, but when the Champion was beaten, he lost the title.

The length of rounds don't matter. Watching somebody defeat the Champion means the Champ ain't the Champ no more.

[londonwar]

there nothing fans like more than litigation.

lets remind everyone that allegedly endorsed Fury v Nganou

[SeanBrennan]

I think this will all go away they all need the Saudis

[Ruthless-RKO]

USYK-KABAYEL TALKS FOR GERMANY CLASH, IF RING CHAMP BEATS VERHOEVEN

Patience might prove pivotal once more for Agit Kabayel.

The WBC interim heavyweight champion (27-0, 19 KOs) could be in-line for a shot at Ring and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk later this year after all.

Turki Alalshikh plans to sit down with the Ukrainian (24-0, 15 KOs) to discuss defending his heavyweight titles on enemy territory once more, this time in Kabayel's native Germany at some stage in the second-half of 2026.

Kabayel has been vocal about wanting a shot at the full world championship and doubled down on Usyk specifically after blasting beyond then-unbeaten contender Damian Knyba on January 10 in Germany.

That electric appearance back home came three fights and two years following his showcase on a series of Riyadh Season shows scoring stoppage wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and most recently Zhilei Zhang.

12,000 raucous fans created a rowdy atmosphere at the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, with sources later confirming early plans for Kabayel's next outing to headline a stadium show not clashing with football fixtures.

He told The Ring's Mosope Ominiyi last month that while originally pencilled in for a May return, he'd now instead wait for the Usyk-Verhoeven outcome before deciding next steps.

That's something his promoter and Queensberry chief allegedly insisted will have a clear resolution: Usyk vacating the WBC crown or making a mandatory defense.

Usyk, 39, previously outlined his three-fight plan before retirement with an interview on Inside The Ring in March: Verhoeven, the Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois winner next weekend in Manchester and a Tyson Fury trilogy.

Kabayel subsequently responded disapprovingly and if all goes well later this month, it appears as though the in-form puncher could get his wish against The Ring's top pound-for-pound operator on home soil.

[fifth_root]

Usyk will not accept that fight, as he will have to fake plenty of low blows, knowing how badly Kabayel punishes the body. But it should have been Agit instead of Rico. Yet, ever since Usyk won titles, he has stalled the division with one fight per year.

[881073]

I think the odds are high Rico will soon take over the belt and after that happens Agit won't stand much of a chance against Rico and he knows it, they have sparred before.

[KiwiRider]

Say what you want about the WBC, they back their champion.

a bit too much sometimes...

Yeah, the Dillian Whyte mandatory thing was disgraceful.

Remember Aduckis Stevenson?
Poor bugger now, but before he got the brain injury he was ducking his responsibilities for years.