Agit Kabayel was surprised when the WBC approved Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title defense against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven as a substitute of ordering the unbeaten German interim champion into the mandatory position. Kabayel still expects to get his shot at Usyk, but admitted he viewed the sanctioning as more of a spectacle fight than a real sporting matchup.
“After I saw it, I said, ‘Crazy,’”
“Normally, I’ll call Mauricio and say, ‘What is that this?’ But, I respect it, and I hope I’m the following within the line.”
“I believe that is a great fight for the fighting fans. I believe this is just not for sports competition, I believe that is for the fans. This is sort of a show fight.”
“But I believe, normally, he must fight with me, Usyk,” said Kabayel to Boxingscene in regards to the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight.
Agit Kabayel currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight title and had been viewed by many fans because the leading candidate to face Oleksandr Usyk before the WBC-sanctioned Saturday’s fight against Rico Verhoeven on the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Kabayel also believes Usyk must have little trouble handling Verhoeven despite the unpredictability that comes with heavyweight boxing.
“I don’t know, that is boxing, that is heavyweight boxing,” said Kabayel.
“One punch can change a fight, but we are going to see. That is a great fight for fans, but I believe that is a straightforward night for Usyk.”
Usyk recently outlined a possible three-fight plan that included Verhoeven, the winner of the Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley fight, and a trilogy clash with Tyson Fury before retirement. Kabayel’s name was not a part of that list, though he says he later heard Usyk mention him as a possible future opponent.
Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh has also spoken about potentially staging Usyk vs. Kabayel in Germany later this yr.
“If one guy could make this fight occur, I say it’s Turki Alalshikh.”
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Last Updated on 2026/05/21 at 11:42 AM