On May 23, Oleksandr Usyk will fight at the Pyramids of Giza against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven, but boxing fans—aware that the Ukrainian could win such a bout even with one hand—are already looking ahead. The champion’s next fight could be far more appealing: Saudi official Turki Alalshikh has expressed his desire to stage a title defense in Germany against WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
Kabayel, a German fighter of Kurdish descent, boasts a perfect professional record of 27 wins in as many fights, with 19 coming inside the distance. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly defied the odds, showcasing remarkable toughness and the technical traits of a pure pressure fighter.
He captured the WBC Interim title in February last year by knocking out Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang in six rounds, wearing him down with punishing body shots. On that occasion, the German fighter was also dropped in the fifth round, caught by a shot from Zhang, but quickly got back to his feet and soon returned the favor with interest.
Earlier, Kabayel made headlines with wins over then-undefeated fighters Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez, bouts in which he entered as the underdog. In both cases, his relentless aggression proved too much, leading him to stoppage victories.
Kabayel is an aggressive and entertaining fighter: he constantly looks to close the distance, works the body exceptionally well, and builds his victories by breaking down his opponents round after round.
A potential clash with Usyk can be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, recalling the difficulties the Ukrainian experienced in his 2020 bout against Derek Chisora, one might think Kabayel has what it takes to trouble him seriously. On the other, the way Usyk more recently dismantled an aggressive and determined Daniel Dubois suggests the opposite conclusion.
It should not be forgotten that Kabayel’s style exposes him to significant risks. In March 2023, he was on the verge of being knocked out by Croatian fighter Agron Smakici, narrowly surviving and turning the fight around only after his opponent ran out of energy trying to finish him.
Regardless of how one views the matchup, Usyk vs Kabayel is a fight that appeals to many fans and would have an excellent chance of filling an entire stadium in Germany. Hopefully, once the Verhoeven bout is out of the way, the Ukrainian will be willing to accept the challenge.