Oleksandr Usyk must negotiate bout with mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to begin negotiations with interim champion Agit Kabayel, opening a 30‑day period for talks. If Usyk does not accept the fight, Kabayel would be elevated to full WBC heavyweight champion. Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.

Usyk’s latest defense ended in an eleventh‑round stoppage of Dutch kick‑boxing champion Rico Verhoeven. While some fans and Verhoeven himself questioned the referee’s decision, members of Usyk’s team defended it, saying further punches could have been dangerous. Verhoeven has publicly called for a rematch, adding to the ongoing discussion about the fight’s conclusion.