A Warning for Oleksandr Usyk: The WBC's Ultimatum
The heavyweight champion's future is at stake, and the WBC is not playing around.
Oleksandr Usyk, the current WBC heavyweight champion, has been issued a stern warning by the organization's president, Mauricio Sulaiman. Usyk, who also holds two other titles, is facing the possibility of being stripped of his WBC belt if he doesn't step into the ring with Agit Kabayel.
In an interview with DAZN's Chris Mannix, Sulaiman revealed that Usyk had requested and received permission for a voluntary defense, but after that, he must face Kabayel or risk losing his title. This decision has sparked controversy and left boxing fans wondering about the future of the heavyweight division.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Agit Kabayel, currently holding the interim WBC title, is an undefeated fighter with an impressive record of 27-0, 19 KOs. He recently defended his interim title in Germany, showcasing his skills in front of an energetic crowd in Oberhausen. Kabayel, at 33 years old, won the interim title in 2022, defeating Zhilei Zhang.
Usyk, 39, is a veteran in the sport with an equally impressive record of 24-0, 15 KOs. However, he doesn't have any fights scheduled at the moment. His last bout was in July 2025, where he knocked out Daniel Dubois, solidifying his undisputed championship status for the fourth time.
And this is the part most people miss...
Despite his success, Usyk hasn't shown much enthusiasm for facing either Kabayel or the new WBO champion, Fabio Wardley. Usyk, nearing the end of his career, is focused on securing the most lucrative and high-profile fights. He has even floated the idea of facing Deontay Wilder, a fighter who is currently less relevant in the heavyweight scene.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury, who is set to return to the ring in April to face Arslanbek Makhmudov, has expressed interest in a third fight with Usyk. This could potentially be the biggest money-making bout for the Ukrainian pound-for-pound star.
So, the question remains: Will Usyk take on Kabayel and defend his WBC title, or will he pursue other lucrative opportunities? And what does this mean for the future of the heavyweight division? These are the questions boxing enthusiasts are asking, and the answers will shape the landscape of the sport.
What do you think? Should Usyk focus on defending his titles, or is it time for him to pursue bigger paydays? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
