{"id":338549,"date":"2026-05-21T21:51:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=338549"},"modified":"2026-05-21T21:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T16:21:30","slug":"agit-kabayel-reacts-to-usyk-rico-wbc-title-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/agit-kabayel-reacts-to-usyk-rico-wbc-title-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Agit Kabayel Reacts To Usyk-Rico WBC Title Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Agit Kabayel was surprised when the WBC approved Oleksandr Usyk\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I saw it, I said, \u2018Crazy,\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cNormally, I’ll call Mauricio and say, \u2018What is that this?\u2019 But, I respect it, and I hope I\u2019m the following within the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I believe, normally, he must fight with me, Usyk,\u201d said Kabayel to Boxingscene<\/a> in regards to the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2019s fight against Rico Verhoeven on the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.<\/p>\n

Kabayel also believes Usyk must have little trouble handling Verhoeven despite the unpredictability that comes with heavyweight boxing.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI don\u2019t know, that is boxing, that is heavyweight boxing,\u201d said Kabayel.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2019s name was not a part of that list, though he says he later heard Usyk mention him as a possible future opponent.<\/p>\n

Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh has also spoken about potentially staging Usyk vs. Kabayel in Germany later this yr.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf one guy could make this fight occur, I say it\u2019s Turki Alalshikh.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Robert Segal is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with greater than a decade of experience covering fight news, previews, and evaluation. Known for his straightforward reporting and ringside perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, contenders, and emerging talent worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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