Despite having to scramble around for a new opponent, Agit Kabayel remains set to defend his WBC title in Germany later this year.
The 33-year-old was elevated from ‘interim’ to full world champion in June, shortly after Oleksandr Usyk decided to vacate his remaining three belts.
Prior to that, Kabayel claimed his secondary title with a sixth-round finish over Zhilei Zhang, before making a successful defence against Damian Knyba last January.
Having scored previous stoppages over Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov, too, the Kurdish-German has established himself as a top five heavyweight and one of the division’s most formidable body punchers.
Now, though, Kabayel must put his world-level credentials beyond reasonable doubt and make a successful first defence of his WBC strap.
Initially, the opponent of choice was thought to be Nelson Hysa, who confronted Kabayel after stopping Thomas Narmo in two rounds last month.
According to promoter Frank Warren, however, the unbeaten Albanian agreed terms only to subsequently withdraw his interest in the world title opportunity.
Speaking with IFL TV, the Queensberry Promotions boss insisted that an alternative opponent for Kabayel will be revealed soon.
“[Hysa] came into the office, we agreed terms – contract and everything done – and he sent a message a couple days later saying he didn’t want the fight.
“So we’re moving on. We’re announcing Agit’s fight next week. All I’m in is the Agit Kabayel business in Germany. He’s going to have a top 10 opponent, and he’ll defend his title. And he’s looking next year to unify.
“For somebody to turn down a world title fight is beyond me. Most fighters dream of fighting for the world title.”
With Kabayel looking to unify his division next year, he could find himself facing the winner of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley’s WBO title rematch on October 17.
