Usyk Must Fight Kabayel or Risk Losing WBC Belt, Organization Rules

Usyk vs. Kabayel: The Mandatory Showdown

According to Главком: The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBC titles, to face interim WBC champion Agit Kabayel in his next bout. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the decision, stating that

'Kabayel will be Usyk's next opponent'

. This mandate comes as Usyk, a Ukrainian star, continues to dominate the division with 25 professional wins.

Usyk, who also owns The Ring magazine belt, most recently defeated Rico Verhoeven by technical knockout late in the 11th round. Meanwhile, Kabayel-a Turkish-German contender-stopped Damian Knyba in the third round back in January 2026. Prior to that, Kabayel knocked out Zhang Zhilei in February 2025, solidifying his status as the mandatory challenger.

Usyk's Dilemma: Fight or Vacate

Usyk now faces a clear choice: accept the fight against Kabayel or relinquish his WBC title. As Sulaiman added,

'the interim champion has earned his shot at the full title'

. Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority chief, Turki Alalshikh, is expected to promote the bout, continuing his push to host major boxing events in the region.

This matchup represents a pivotal moment in Usyk's career, as his decision will directly shape the heavyweight division's landscape. A victory over Kabayel would further cement his legacy as one of the sport's elite fighters, while a refusal could strip him of the WBC crown. The announced clash is already generating significant buzz among boxing fans and media, with many anticipating how this will influence future title fights in the weight class.

As Usyk prepares for this mandatory bout, the stakes are even higher given the recent ultimatum issued by the IBF, which adds pressure to his decision-making process. This situation underscores the complexities of title defenses in the heavyweight division and how they can impact a champion's legacy.