Now no longer the undisputed heavyweight champion, fans are wondering who Oleksandr Usyk will fight next.
The Ukrainian recently vacated his WBO world title, prompting the sanctioning body to elevate Interim belt-holder Fabio Wardley to full champion.
Usyk, 24-0 (15 KOs), turns 39 in January but showed no signs of slowing in the summer when he made light work of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
Having beaten Dubois, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua — all twice — the list of worthwhile challengers is beginning to shrink. Moses Itauma may eventually emerge as his successor, but across Europe another contender believes he offers a compelling option for the unified champion.
Unbeaten 33-year-old German Agit Kabayel, 26-0 (18 KOs), is the man in question, as he told Sky Sports that he would relish the challenge of taking on Usyk.
“I will stay humble but I think people say Kabayel is the best fight [for Usyk].
“I think when I fight with the biggest name, we go in a stadium. I think when Usyk’s team understand this, maybe after he says: ‘Let’s go Kabayel, I will fight with you.’
“Usyk didn’t say my name in the ring [after beating Dubois]. He will fight with other guys. I don’t know why he didn’t say my name.
“I think when I make one or two more fights in Germany, I’m ready for Usyk. I love big challenges.”
Following his victory over Zhilei Zhang in February, Kabayel said he was ready for the step up.
“The fans will say I’m ready for the world title shot, I’m ready!”
Kabayel returns on January 10 at the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, where he will defend his WBC Interim belt against unbeaten Pole Damian Knyba, 17-0 (11 KOs).
