Oleksandr Usyk's reign as a unified heavyweight champion faces a critical juncture after the World Boxing Council (WBC) delivered an uncompromising mandate: defend the title against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel next, or risk being stripped of the belt. WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán reinforced the organization's stance in an interview with Sky Sports, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the Ukrainian's immediate obligations.
Usyk, who also holds the WBA Super and IBF heavyweight titles, successfully petitioned for a voluntary defence against Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Giza pyramids. That bout was sanctioned on the condition that he would next face Kabayel, the WBC interim champion and number one contender since February 2025. Sulaimán confirmed the agreement has now fallen due. “The WBC ruling was very clear,” he stated. “We accepted Usyk's petition for a voluntary defence, which has now taken place. Now the mandatory fight is Usyk against the interim champion Kabayel.”
The Verhoeven showdown proved more taxing than many anticipated. Fighting in only his second professional boxing match, the kickboxing icon pushed Usyk to the brink, surviving deep into the 11th round before a contentious stoppage by referee Mark Lyson with one second remaining. The dramatic finish ignited immediate calls for a rematch, but the WBC has shut down that possibility as long as Usyk wishes to retain the green and gold belt. Sulaimán’s comments make clear that the voluntary defence option has been exhausted, and any deviation from the Kabayel mandate will trigger the stripping process.
For Kabayel, the ruling validates over 16 months of patience. The German contender earned his shot by capturing the WBC interim crown and holding the mandatory position during Usyk’s voluntary excursions and broader heavyweight maneuvering. A clash with Usyk would represent a pinnacle achievement, offering the undefeated (25-0) fighter the chance to seize ultimate glory. Should Usyk vacate or be stripped, Sulaimán remained noncommittal on whether Kabayel would be elevated directly to full champion or forced into a vacant title bout, stating only: “We don't anticipate. We don't speculate. Only when something happens, when something is presented, do we go through the Board of Governors to make the proper ruling.”
The situation echoes recent heavyweight title fragmentation. Usyk’s second undisputed reign ended when he relinquished his WBO belt in November 2025, paving the way for Fabio Wardley and later Daniel Dubois to claim it. Currently, the division’s belts are scattered among multiple champions, and losing the WBC title would further fracture the landscape. That prospect places immense pressure on Usyk’s team to finalize terms with Kabayel, lest they risk diminishing the champion’s standing and legacy.
Usyk, a southpaw maestro who previously unified the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, has built a career on taking the toughest challenges. A fight with the technically skilled and physically robust Kabayel would fit that narrative, though the Verhoeven near-miss may have prompted a reassessment of risk-reward calculations. The Egyptian thriller showcased Usyk’s resilience but also exposed vulnerabilities that a fresher, younger mandatory might exploit.
The WBC’s firm line also underscores broader boxing politics. Governing bodies have faced criticism for allowing champions to pursue lucrative novelty bouts over legitimate contenders, weakening the integrity of world titles. Sulaimán’s insistence that “the referee's only concern is the safety of the fighter” in defending Lyson’s stoppage further highlights the organization’s willingness to back its officials and enforce rules, even when outcomes prove unpopular.
As negotiations begin, the boxing world watches closely. Promoter Frank Warren has already suggested Usyk should be stripped if he attempts to swerve Kabayel, adding industry pressure. For fans, the prospect of a genuine, high-stakes unification or mandatory defence is far more compelling than a repeat of an unconventional crossover. Usyk’s next move will not only define his immediate future but could reshape the heavyweight hierarchy for years to come.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.