Oleksandr Usyk may have escaped unscathed with his titles against Rico Verhoeven, but WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel believes Rico’s age and awkward style have exposed issues that could impact their expected clash later this year.

Kabayel, seen as the likely next challenger to Usyk’s WBC, WBA and IBF belts, said the 39-year-old champion had difficulty preparing for the Verhoeven fight because there was almost no boxing material available to study. The undefeated German heavyweight said uncertainty played a major role in Usyk’s complex evening in Egypt.

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Last updated: 27/05/2026 at 11:10

“You always learn something from everything. So it was a good experience and I really enjoyed it,” Canelo told InsideRingShow when asked if he looked back on the Crawford fight fondly despite the loss.

“Yes [he watched the fight back]. Many things.

“Sometimes your body doesn’t react the way you want, but I know what mistakes I made. And I can adjust everything to make everything perfect for the next moment. You know, we just think about it, right? If we can get that fight back, it’ll be amazing.”

Canelo also admitted that he approached the fight in the wrong way stylistically.

“I see a lot of mistakes that I made. I tried to be faster because of his style and everything. Now I just have to do my job and that’s it,” Canelo said of his performance against Crawford.

The comments are compelling because many fans viewed Crawford’s defeat differently. Crawford’s striking controlled much of the fight, disrupted Canelo’s positioning and gradually took over as the pace dropped in the second half. Canelo continued to land single sturdy shots, but struggled to maintain consistent pressure after the middle rounds.

This raises questions about the fight against Mbilla.

Mbilli is a completely different problem than Crawford. Crawford attacks opponents and controls them technically. Mbilli destroys players physically with pressure, volume and constant exchanges. He fights at a pace that forces his opponents into exhausting rounds, and this style has already led many fans to compare the fight to Canelo’s first two fights with Gennady Golovkin.

If Canelo defeats Mbilli in an compelling fight, demand for a rematch will likely be immediate due to the style of action displayed by both fighters. However, if Mbilli overwhelms him physically, talk of a rematch with Crawford could quickly fade away. A painful loss to a younger pressing fighter would generate a different discussion about Canelo’s career than a loss in a tactical fight to Crawford.

Canelo admitted he was frustrated that he didn’t get another chance to fight Crawford, but said he remained patient.

“Yes, it’s frustrating, but as I always say, when you can’t control the situation, you can’t do anything,” Canelo said of his inability to control whether a rematch with Crawford would ever happen.

“So I’m going to stay peaceful, do my job and continue to fight my fights in my career. If the fight can happen again, it will be different.”

Canelo talks about his fight with Bud Crawford and wants a rematch!!

To watch #InsideTheRing NOW on DAZN. @InsideRingShow | @RingMagazine pic.twitter.com/8EUaCRyrfN

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 27, 2026

Adam Azim is undoubtedly one of the most talented fighters on these shores, and his speed is a thing of beauty as he ruthlessly dispatches weaker opponents.

At 24 years vintage, he certainly has the physical attributes and attitude to reach the top of his sport, especially with renowned coach Shane McGuigan in his corner.

Most importantly, Azim is well aware that talent can only take a fighter so far.

What is more vital is the level of commitment to one’s craft, or in other words, how a person chooses to exercise outside of the gym.

It was an unfortunate series of events when a super lightweight opponent made his last scheduled appearance Gustavo Lemos withdrew due to injury.

Then on the same day, January 31, Azim was scheduled to face Nahir Albright, but a hand injury ruled him out.

But to prevent future injuries, the undefeated fighter has placed even greater emphasis on a self-care routine that he tells Boxing News and other media outlets has been somewhat neglected leading up to his last fight.

“I am very sure of one thing [particular] it’s about my health. Boxers get injured left and right before a fight, but that’s what they do outside the camp [that makes a difference].

“They can go out and eat so much shit and do something stupid. [But]in my case, I like to get my body in order before going to camp. I subject my body to many manipulations – ice baths, cryotherapy, heat and frosty therapy – and I work on myself even after the fight.

Giving the impression of a consummate professional, Azim admits he may have had a few too many treats before his round 12 finish with Kurt Scoby last November.

As a result, he decided to live more like a monk than, say, a typical 24-year-old.

“Before this fight with Kurt Scoby, I was very weighty and the reason for that was because I ate a lot of desserts. But then I thought about all the top-level fighters who do a lot of recovery and keep their weight down. I have to do it [as well]”

Believing he has cracked the code to success at the highest level, Azim must stay in the win column when he faces Steve Claggett at London’s Wembley Arena this Saturday, headlining his first Boxxer event on the BBC.

After that, the world title vacancy could be well within the reach of “The Assassin,” who boasts a reasonable No. 7 in the IBF rankings at 140 pounds.

Ahead of him, of course, is top contender Lindolfo Delgado, whom Azim says he “really wants” to fight for Richardson Hitchins’ vintage belt.

But until then, Azim must focus on his professional development, following the same path his father always hoped he would follow.

“My dad has been with me since I was four years vintage and will be with me until I retire. That’s the example of a father. He went through hard times growing up.

“He lost two brothers – one died of cancer and the other was murdered in Slough. He always kept me on track.

“He told me, ‘Don’t be like your uncle.’ [who died at 25]. Go your way the way I want you to go.’ Even before my dad’s other brother died of cancer at the age of 40, he told my dad that I would make our name notable.”

Azim can certainly become a household name, which will make his family even more proud, but first he must decisively deal with Teofimo Lopez’s former opponent, Claggett.