Oleksandr Usyk vs. Agit Kabayel - Who wins?

[Cent0089]

LOL if Usyk is avoiding something, then everybody in boxing last 50 years is cherry picker. He fought everybody in their backyard.

[SeanBrennan]

LOL if Usyk is avoiding something, then everybody in boxing last 50 years is cherry picker. He fought everybody in their backyard.

100 per cent he’s fought everyone at CW and HW

[londonwar]

Except he could have doubled his challengers instead of making pointless rematches.

Usyk should fight Kabayel because he deserves a shot

[joshj909]

Except he could have doubled his challengers instead of making pointless rematches.

Usyk should fight Kabayel because he deserves a shot

I think the Joshua and Fury ones made sense financially and also in terms of legacy as they were the names of the era. The second Dubois fight was unnecessary and was likely because Frank had Turki's ear but also because the belt was stripped. It wouldn't have mattered much if he fought others too but he's old.

[SeanBrennan]

I feel for Kabayel esp as he seems such a great fella but I think Usyk has the right to fight who he pleases, albeit he should vacate if he won’t face mandatories

[Cent0089]

Except he could have doubled his challengers instead of making pointless rematches.

Usyk should fight Kabayel because he deserves a shot

Too many idiots talked about how Dubois fight should be stoppage win for DDD. So he give him chance to prove it and demolished him in his home before his fans. That was pointfull rematch, not pointless. AJ and Fury were top heavyweights in the world when he fought them, were still top heavyweights when he rematches them. Plus, when champion losses fight, new champ offer him a rematch. It is good, isnt it? BTW, it is ok that Kabayel fighting once per year ?

[jamesmcdonnell]

Id like to see this fight.

It would be like Lewis v klitchsko, clearing out the most (or close to) credible of the current crop of contenders.

Either that or wardley.

As much as i love Usyk, fighting stupid matches against kickboxers, or over the hill wilder, or a further fight with Fury, is a waste.

Relinquish the belts if you want to arse around.

[Ruthless-RKO]

‘We can sell out a stadium’: Agit Kabayel sends message to Oleksandr Usyk

Agit Kabayel has aims for a big fight in Germany.



Agit Kabayel may be on the outside looking in with respects to a potential shot at Oleksandr Usyk, but he makes his pitch to Usyk for a big showdown in Germany. Kabayel says he’s a bigger name than Usyk may realize in the country, and firmly believes they could sell out a stadium with a title fight.

To begin Kabayel was asked about his thoughts on Usyk taking on kickboxer Rico Vanhoeven.

“You know, first about Usyk fight with Rico, and I think for the fight fans, for the boxing fans this is the biggest fight we can make now,” Kabayel said. “Now he fight with Anthony Joshua, he fight with Tyson Fury, he fight with Daniel Dubois and when he win with Rico, why not Kabayel with Usyk in Germany? I think we can easy, easy sell out a stadium.”

Kabayel then was asked why he thinks he’s gotten so little consideration from Usyk.

“I think ‘Kabayel name is not too big’, you know, but too much risk.I think he’s not scared, but I think he’s a big sportsman. I respect him a lot, he’s a very good boxer. I think he thinks Kabayel is not a big name but when he sees this, come to Germany, we’ll sell out the arena stadium easy, and after this he will understand Kabayel is really big name in Germany.”

Kabayel is currently Usyk’s mandatory challenger as WBC interim champion, and much of the heavyweight field is waiting to see whether or not he’ll take on top challengers or vacate.

[tigermoth87]

Except he could have doubled his challengers instead of making pointless rematches.

Usyk should fight Kabayel because he deserves a shot

I think the Joshua and Fury ones made sense financially and also in terms of legacy as they were the names of the era. The second Dubois fight was unnecessary and was likely because Frank had Turki's ear but also because the belt was stripped. It wouldn't have mattered much if he fought others too but he's old.

It also silenced the controversy about the first one. It was clearly a low blow, but it didn't stop Butthurt Brits from crying about it claiming Dubois won. So I think Dubois makes sense to put all doubt away, Usyk thrashed him

[Ruthless-RKO]

Agit Kabayel says Oleksandr Usyk ‘must fight me next’

Agit Kabayel was shocked when he first heard that the WBC had sanctioned Oleksandr Usyk’s upcoming title defense against kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven.

The unbeaten German, who currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight title, had expected to be next in line for a shot at Usyk’s unified heavyweight crown. Instead, the Ukrainian will return this Saturday at the Pyramids of Giza in a contest viewed as more spectacle than genuine sporting competition.

“When I saw it, I said, ‘Crazy,’” Kabayel told Boxing Scene. “Normally, I will call Mauricio [Sulaiman, the WBC president] and say, ‘What is this?’ But, I respect it and I hope I’m the next in the line.”

Usyk-Verhoeven has divided opinion since being announced. While many fans are intrigued by the meeting between two masters of their chosen crafts, others have questioned why the WBC chose to sanction the bout while contenders such as Kabayel remain waiting for their opportunity.

Kabayel, however, understands the appeal.

“I think this is a good fight for the fighting fans,” he said. “I think this is not for sports competition, I think this is for the fans. This is like a show fight. But I think, yeah, why not? If people want to see the fight. But I think, normally, he must fight with me, Usyk.”

Kabayel also fully expects Usyk to handle his business against Verhoeven this Saturday.

“I don’t know, this is boxing, this is heavyweight boxing,” he said. “One punch can change a fight, but we will see. This is a good fight for fans, but I think this is an easy night for Usyk.”

Usyk recently named a three-man hitlist of Verhoeven, the winner of the WBO title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois – that was won by Dubois earlier this month – and a trilogy with Tyson Fury, before he hangs up his gloves for good.

That list notably does not include the name of Kabayel.

“But I heard in an interview he said, ‘Why not Kabayel next?’” said Kabayel. “He said this is his plan and is the plan from God. We will make the fight happen. We will see.”

Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh also recently revealed plans to make the bout between Usyk and Kabayel in Germany later this year.

“If one guy can make this fight happen, I say it’s Turki Alalshikh,” Kabayel said.

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBC 'very confident' Oleksandr Usyk will face Agit Kabayel

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Boxing Scene Friday he expects three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to adhere to the sanctioning body’s order for Usyk to next meet interim beltholder Agit Kabayel. Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), is a prohibitive favorite to defeat kickboxer Rico Verhoeven Saturday in the main event of a Saudi Arabia-funded card at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s boxing financier Turki Alalshikh announced he will stage a 2027 card for Usyk in Istanbul, Turkey; a destination ideally suited for Germany’s Kabayel, 27-0 (19 KOs).

Kabayel can be assured of strong fan support, should the fight happen, given the estimates that as many as 20 million Kurds reside in Turkey.

“I’m very confident that Usyk will want to fight Kabayel next,” Sulaiman said.

Criticized previously for not enforcing a title fight between countryman Canelo Alvarez and his then mandatory and interim champion at 168lbs, David Benavidez, Sulaiman was asked if he would strip his belt from Usyk for not fighting Kabayel.

“I don’t like to approach it that way,” Sulaiman said.

Instead, he’s leaning on the goodwill and bonding that was evident between Usyk and Sulaiman when the two-division unified champion was honored late last year at the WBC convention in Bangkok.

Usyk, 39, said earlier this week he only anticipates two more fights after Saturday’s, and Kabayel, who went 3-0 in Saudi Arabia bouts with three knockouts, told reporters in Egypt that Usyk “must” fight him.

Usyk has already twice defeated each of current and former heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

[joshj909]

Looks like Kabayel has wasted his time sitting on his ass waiting for Usyk if Usyk is going to face Wilder. Who does Kabayel face then? Hrgovic? Itauma?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Agit wants it.

Said he would get in the ring.

Usyk says he’s ready.

They all saying it comes down to Turki.

[gilgamesh]

Looks like Kabayel has wasted his time sitting on his ass waiting for Usyk if Usyk is going to face Wilder. Who does Kabayel face then? Hrgovic? Itauma?

How about Dubois?

[Taansend]

Looks like Kabayel has wasted his time sitting on his ass waiting for Usyk if Usyk is going to face Wilder. Who does Kabayel face then? Hrgovic? Itauma?

How about Dubois?

I'd be happy with any of those.

[gregregegg]

Kabayal hasn’t beat a top 50 in over 15 months.

And Kabayal hasn’t beat a top 50 heavyweight under 40 in 24 months..

He is the most deserving probably. But his activity and competition has been poor overall. 10 fights in 8 years. Only 3 of them have been decent opponents.

I understand not wanting to gamble your chance. But somtimes not forcing it is the gamble. And that’s the gamble kabayal has taken. He arguably has the craziest swing on what he could get next.

-The greatest prize of all Faded Usyk is the jackpot. 50:50 at glory.

-vacant shot vs faded fury sweeet sweet reward.

-A vacant shot vs Laurence Okolie while he battles a doping charge causing delay after delay after delay… a prize I wouldent wish on my worst enemy.

-a vacant shot vs Moses, not a super nice prize.

- Or he could be emailed the belt and try unify Vs ddd, that’s pretty good.

I actualy hope he gets a terrible terrible prize, okolie… cause I just can’t support fighting 3 top 50s in 8 years…

[DrDuke]

Agit wants it.

Said he would get in the ring.

Usyk says he’s ready.

They all saying it comes down to Turki.

Before the Rico fight Agit was clearly the true #1 contender. Yet now many can want to see the Rico rematch first.

Talking on the who wins subject, with Usyk's shape against Rico it's a question. The fit version of Usyk is obviously a favorite against Kabayel.

[joshj909]

Looks like Kabayel has wasted his time sitting on his ass waiting for Usyk if Usyk is going to face Wilder. Who does Kabayel face then? Hrgovic? Itauma?

How about Dubois?

He's facing Wardley...

[golden_labrador]

Kabayel looked huge last night. hopefully he's not doing a Ruiz

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Loynesy]

I’m loving the idea of Frank suing the WBC. Given they are legally domiciled in Mexico, so any claim would have to be launched there, perhaps he’s taken detailed Mexican litigation advice but if he has, I will go to my next board meeting in a sombrero and I will hire a mariachi band.

Incidentally, I do think it’s a great fight and hope it happens.

[gilgamesh]

Agit wants it.

Said he would get in the ring.

Usyk says he’s ready.

They all saying it comes down to Turki.

Before the Rico fight Agit was clearly the true #1 contender. Yet now many can want to see the Rico rematch first.

Talking on the who wins subject, with Usyk's shape against Rico it's a question. The fit version of Usyk is obviously a favorite against Kabayel.

Usyk was fit against Rico.

[joshj909]

I’m loving the idea of Frank suing the WBC. Given they are legally domiciled in Mexico, so any claim would have to be launched there, perhaps he’s taken detailed Mexican litigation advice but if he has, I will go to my next board meeting in a sombrero and I will hire a mariachi band.

Incidentally, I do think it’s a great fight and hope it happens.

Wouldn't it be done through the Court for the Arbitration of Sport which is international?

[DrDuke]

Agit wants it.

Said he would get in the ring.

Usyk says he’s ready.

They all saying it comes down to Turki.

Before the Rico fight Agit was clearly the true #1 contender. Yet now many can want to see the Rico rematch first.

Talking on the who wins subject, with Usyk's shape against Rico it's a question. The fit version of Usyk is obviously a favorite against Kabayel.

Usyk was fit against Rico.

Why then he was the fattest ever and didn't move like always?

[gilgamesh]

Before the Rico fight Agit was clearly the true #1 contender. Yet now many can want to see the Rico rematch first.

Talking on the who wins subject, with Usyk's shape against Rico it's a question. The fit version of Usyk is obviously a favorite against Kabayel.

Usyk was fit against Rico.

Why then he was the fattest ever and didn't move like always?

Because he was fighting a big, strong man who wasn't allowing him to.

Fighters that aren't in shape don't find a come from behind 11th round TKO when they need it because their conditioning isn't there. Usyk found it, and he found it because he was in shape. It wouldn't have been possible otherwise.