Undefeated German contender Agit Kabayel is deemed by many to be the number two heavyweight on the planet, behind dominant and reigning unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Kabayel got his hands on the WBC Interim heavyweight title when he knocked out Zhilei Zhang last February, continuing a rich vein of form which saw him halt Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez in the two fights prior – all three of those bouts coming in Saudi Arabia.
Back In January, Kabayel made his first appearance of the year, as he received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Germany and sold out the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, taking only three rounds to run through Poland’s Damian Knyba.
As a result, the 33-year-old is currently on a six-fight stoppage streak and is perceived by many to be Usyk’s biggest threat, with that fight likely to be ordered following the Ukrainian’s clash with Rico Verhoeven next month.
However, despite plans for Kabayel to headline another stadium in Germany this May, the unbeaten interim titleholder told Ring Magazine that, following a discussion with promoter Warren, he has decided to wait for Usyk to either be made to fight him or lose his title.
“We talked with Frank Warren and Spencer Brown, the plan is now to wait for Usyk-Verhoeven. I’m just waiting for the situation to sort itself out, Usyk will fight me or vacate the title, that [waiting] is the best option for me and then the results will show themselves.”
Usyk-Verhoeven takes place on Saturday, May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, as Usyk kickstarts the first fight of a three-bout pre-retirement run which currently does not include Kabayel, though he has said he will consider it with his team.
Should the Ukrainian opt to vacate or ignore the mandatory order, Kabayel will likely be upgraded to full champion, with his next bout a first defence.
