On June 26, Oleksandr Usyk published a video address on Instagram and announced that he is relinquishing all three belts — WBC, WBA, and IBF in the heavyweight division. The reason is neither injury nor retirement: the Ukrainian wants to give contenders waiting in line the opportunity to finally fight each other. He is keeping his final fight, "Last Dance," for himself.
Kabayel was waiting — and he got his wish
Interim WBC champion, Kurdish-German boxer Agit Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs), reacted restrainedly, but meaningfully.
"Nothing but respect for this incredible career"
Agit Kabayel — Instagram Stories
In a separate post, he added that a true champion is defined by their actions both in and out of the ring — and that he is ready to take up the mantle.
For Kabayel, this is more than just a compliment to Usyk. Since February 2025, he has been the interim WBC champion after knocking out Chinese fighter Zhora Zhang. The WBC had obligated Usyk to conduct a mandatory defense against Kabayel even before the Ukrainian's refusal to relinquish the belts — and set a deadline of June 30 for negotiations between the camps.
What happens to the WBC belt now
Following the relinquishment of the WBC title, the organization expectedly moves toward Kabayel as the current interim champion. According to heavyweightboxing.com, the WBC belt goes to him, while the IBF and WBA will launch their own selection processes to determine new champions.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman had previously clearly articulated the board's position: Usyk's voluntary defense against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt (May 23, victory by technical knockout in the 11th round) — completed; next — mandatory fight with Kabayel.
- Usyk — 25 victories, 0 defeats; relinquished belts, retains active boxer status
- Kabayel — 27 victories, 0 defeats; interim WBC champion since February 2025
- WBC — set deadline of June 30 for negotiations before Usyk's refusal
A respectful gesture with practical undertones
Kabayel's reaction is diplomatic, but not disinterested: he is the only contender who had a legally secured position as mandatory challenger. Usyk's refusal to fight by relinquishing the belts — this is not a defeat for Kabayel. It is a shorter path to a full title without the need to defeat the best heavyweight of the generation.
Usyk, for his part, is keeping "Last Dance" for himself — a fight without championship stakes, where he will choose his opponent and conditions himself.
If Kabayel receives the full WBC belt without a fight against Usyk, and "Last Dance" takes place against another opponent — will the boxing community consider the new WBC champion legitimate without a victory over the man who never lost that belt?
