Usyk Must Face Kabayel After Voluntary Defense

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 1:39 AM ET

The WBC has issued an ultimatum to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to defend his titles against interim champion Agit Kabayel or face being stripped of the belt.

Usyk, the WBA, IBF, and WBC champion, notably relinquished his WBO strap earlier this year to avoid a mandatory clash with Fabio Wardley, who has since been elevated to full champion status. While the WBC has approved Usyk for one “voluntary” defense in early 2026, they have made it clear that the winner must immediately move toward Kabayel.

Kabayel is the heavyweight division’s most avoided contender. The undefeated German shocked the sport by stopping Zhilei Zhang in the sixth round to capture the interim WBC title. He maintained his momentum on January 10 by dismantling the previously unbeaten Damian Knyba with a clinical third-round TKO.

For months, it was widely expected that Usyk would head to the United States for a voluntary defense against Deontay Wilder. However, that plan has officially collapsed: Wilder opted instead for a fight against Derek Chisora on April 4.

WBC Reacts

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With Wilder off the table, Usyk is still scouting for a voluntary opponent for a late spring date. If Usyk completes a voluntary bout this spring, he will have a set period to finalize terms with Kabayel. Should Usyk bypass the mandatory challenger or fail to reach an agreement, the WBC has explicitly stated they will declare the title vacant and crown Kabayel as the WBC champion.

“We are giving him a voluntary defence, he can select the best fight for him and the industry and then he will fight the Interim champion, Kabayel. Usyk requested a voluntary title defence, which was granted, and Kabayel had the title defence [against Damian Knyba], he can do another fight if he likes or just wait until Usyk fights and then we will order the mandatory fight,” Mauricio Sulaiman (WBC President) said

While that may be the case, Tyson Fury is still chasing Usyk. A fight with Fury would be the third instalment after Usyk won the first two. The Gypsy King disputed the results in both fights, stating he had done enough to win. Fury will come out of retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, with an eye on Usyk if he comes out victorious. However, that also depends on whether Usyk wants to take up that fight.

Alternatives

“He wants to be the best. That’s how he’s always been. He’s told me he wants to fight Usyk again. Tyson’s a fighting man. He loves it. He goes in the gym and when he gets down to serious training, he wants to see an end result and the end result for him is fighting. For me, he doesn’t need to fight. He’s cemented his legacy.

But he is fighting on and he’s going to be a great addition to the heavyweight scene. He’s a great personality. The crowds come out for him, this is a big, big moment for his career. If he is going to come back, I’d much rather he do it now than in four or five years’ time when his powers will probably be diminished then,” Frank Warren stated

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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