The World Boxing Council (WBC) has given two-time undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk an ultimatum to face interim WBC champion Agit Kabayel after he voluntarily defended his title.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that he has given Usyk permission to voluntarily defend his title, but on the condition that the Ukrainian champion faces Kabayeli next.
"He has been given the opportunity and then he will have to face the next interim champion. It is his decision," Sulaiman said, according to TalkSport.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeUsyk has not competed since his victory over Daniel Dubois in a five-round fight in July 2025. Usyk won that bout and became the undisputed champion for the second time in his career.
Usyk refused to face Fabio Wardley after he expressed a desire to face Deontay Wilder, the American boxer who held the WBC title from 2015 to 2020, when he was defeated by Tyson Fury.