Agit Kabayel is the new WBC heavyweight champion of the world. The German slugger was crowned after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title, deciding against a mandatory defence and fracturing the division he had completely dominated for years.
Usyk is out. The Ukrainian unified the belts with wins over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, but his reign is over. After being ordered to face interim champ Kabayel, Usyk walked away from the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, leaving a power vacuum at the top of boxing. The decision immediately triggered a major shake-up.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wasted no time making the announcement official. He confirmed Kabayel’s promotion in a statement. “I just finished an incredibly sensitive Zoom video call con AGIT Kabayel, George Warren, Spencer Brown and some WBC board members in have confirmed that AGIT is the WBC Heavyweight champion of the world as per the WBC board of governors voting. Congratulations champ!” This move confirms a new champion without a single punch being thrown for the belt.
Still, nobody can say Kabayel didn’t earn his shot. He fought his way into the mandatory position with a string of huge upsets. He demolished the feared Arslanbek Makhmudov before outclassing both Zhilei Zhang and Frank Sanchez, proving he belongs at the elite level.
Now the sharks will circle for the other abandoned titles. The division is wide open. Sanchez recently won an IBF final eliminator, meaning he is next in line for that vacant strap. Meanwhile, the WBA ‘Regular’ belt holder Murat Gassiev is set to face Tony Yoka, a fight that now carries massive stakes. British fight fans will also be watching Moses Itauma, who faces a huge test against Filip Hrgovic with a world ranking on the line.
