Oleksandr Usyk returns to the ring in May to contest a novelty match against the kickboxing icon, Rico Verhoeven, at the Pyramids of Giza.
But if he fails to fight the well-ranked challenger, Agit Kabayel, next then he risks being stripped of the WBC heavyweight championship.
That’s according to Queensberry Promotions founder, Frank Warren, who told Boxing News and other media about the situation regarding Usyk and Kabayel.
“[Usyk] is supposed to make his WBC defense against Kabayel.”
Frank Warren on the state of play regarding the WBC title
A 33-year-old fighter from Germany, Kabayel has a considerable case as a contender because of his pro record of 27-0 (19 KOs), beating the likes of Derek Chisora by decision, and Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, and Zhilei Zhang — all by knockout.
Usyk, meanwhile, is inarguably one of the very best and most decorated fighters in all boxing with a gold medal and a record of 24-0 (15 KOs) with wins over Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, and Tony Bellew at cruiserweight, and then Anthony Joshua (twice), Daniel Dubois (twice), and Tyson Fury (twice) at heavyweight.
“That’s what the position is,” Warren said, adamant that Kabayel gets his title shot one way or another — against Usyk, or for the vacant championship against another contender, “so we’ll see what happens.”
Warren finished: “If he doesn’t want to [fight Kabayel], he’ll be stripped [of the WBC title].”
