Overview
- Agit Kabayel criticized Usyk for leaving him out of his stated end‑career plans despite Kabayel’s status as the WBC’s top contender.
- Usyk outlined three intended opponents in The Ring interview, including kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza, the Fabio Wardley–Daniel Dubois winner from May 9, and Tyson Fury.
- Kabayel accused Usyk of prioritizing lucrative matchups, saying the champion cares only about money and is ignoring his mandatory challenger.
- The WBC has pressed Usyk to defend his title against Kabayel after his next bout, with Kabayel’s camp warning the WBC belt could be vacated if he does not comply and claiming the title would then pass to Kabayel under their reading of the rules.
- Kabayel, undefeated at 27-0 after a January win over Damian Knyba, said plans for a May fight in Dortmund are off the table while he awaits clarity on the title defense.