Earlier this month, the WBC ordered Usyk to defend his heavyweight title against undefeated German-Kurdish contender Agit Kabayel, putting the fight at the top of the division. However, negotiations seem to have made little progress.
Talk to ImageKabayel’s manager, Lasse Krüger, said contact between the two camps gave no indication that Usyk wanted to continue with the mandatory defence.
“There has been contact with Usyk and his people from time to time in recent weeks and months. But it doesn’t look like Usyk has any desire for a hard day’s work with Agit in the ring.”
Usyk’s team has already suggested an announcement about his future is imminent, adding further uncertainty to the WBC title picture.
“There is news I would like to share,” Usyk team director Sergey Lapin said this week. “But everything in its own time. The wait will soon be over.”
According to Bild, Lapin’s comments are not related to negotiations with Kabayel. The report says Usyk is weighing several options, including a possible move to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing company in the United States, while retirement is also being considered.
The WBC’s next move could reshape the heavyweight division.
If Usyk refuses to face Kabayel, the sanctioning body will decide how to proceed with his heavyweight championship. Kabayel, who gained mandatory status after stopping Zhilei Zhang earlier this year, repeatedly called for the fight and publicly urged Usyk to either accept the defense or vacate the belt.
Usyk has taken that route before. Last year, he vacated the IBF heavyweight title instead of fulfilling a mandatory obligation, opting to complete his rematch with Tyson Fury. Daniel Dubois was subsequently elevated from interim to full IBF champion.
Whether the WBC follows a similar path now depends on the decision Usyk makes over the next few days. For Kabayel, the mandatory position is safe. The only unanswered question is whether the champion plans to defend it.
