Agit Kabayel was surprised when the WBC approved Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title defense against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven instead of ordering the undefeated German interim champion into the mandatory position. Kabayel still expects to get his chance against Usyk, but admitted that he sees the sanctioning as more of a spectacle fight than a true sporting contest.
“When I saw it, I said, ‘Crazy,'”
“Usually I’ll call Mauricio and say, ‘What’s this?’ But I respect that, and I hope I’m next in line.”
“I think it’s a good fight for the fighting fans. I think it’s not for sports competition, I think it’s for the fans. It’s like an exhibition fight.”
“But I think, normally, he should fight me, Usyk,” Kabayel said Boxing scene about the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight.
Agit Kabayel currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight title and was considered by many fans as the leading candidate to face Oleksandr Usyk ahead of Saturday’s WBC-sanctioned fight against Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Kabayel also believes Usyk should have few problems dealing with Verhoeven despite the unpredictability that comes with heavyweight boxing.
“I don’t know, it’s boxing, it’s heavyweight boxing,” Kabayel said.
“One hit can change a fight, but we’ll see. It’s a good fight for fans, but I think it’s an easy night for Usyk.”
Usyk recently outlined a possible three-fight plan that would pit Verhoeven, the winner of the Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley fight, and included a trilogy clash with Tyson Fury before retirement. Kabayel’s name was not part of that list, although he says he later heard Usyk mention him as a possible future opponent.
Saudi boxing financier Turki Alalshikh also spoke about the possibility of Usyk vs. Kabayel to perform in Germany later this year.
“If one guy can make this fight happen, I say it’s Turki Alalshikh.”
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Last updated on 2026/05/21 at 11:42
