Boxing
Frank Warren threatens legal action as Usyk’s plan blocks Kabayel’s title shot
Warren’s warning, reported by BoxingScene, comes after Usyk has already outlined a three-fight exit plan that does not include Kabayel. The WBC champion will face Rico Verhoeven, followed by the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois, with Tyson Fury also a target. This order leaves no room for a mandatory defense against the interim title holder.
Kabayel established himself over a year ago, defeating Zhilei Zhang in the sixth round on February 22, 2025, to win the WBC interim belt. He has remained vigorous since then, including a stoppage victory over Damian Knyba, but the road to the full title did not start with him.
Queensberry promotes undefeated 33-year-old Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs), which puts Warren at the center of pressure to force a decision by the sanctioning body. His position is that once Usyk finishes his May fight, the WBC will have no reason to delay the mandatory fight.
“Kabayel’s number in the WBC, and the fight is in Egypt between Usyk and Rico Verhoeven, and then the WBC will have to order mandatory fights, and if they don’t do it, we will sue them,” Warren told Boxingscene. “I’m telling you, I’m not going to play around with this. Agit deserves his chance.”
He went further, making it clear that he expected a direct result.
“Fight, agitate or leave. It’s as basic as that.”
If Usyk’s three-fight schedule goes according to plan, Kabayel could be waiting more than a year without access to the title he is scheduled to fight for.
Warren’s threat shifts pressure on the WBC to impose its own structure. If the organization allows Usyk to continue playing outside of this order, Kabayel’s position as interim champion could become symbolic rather than viable.
The WBC has already granted Usyk special exemption for his voluntary defense against Rico Verhoeven, which has drawn criticism from fans and experts who see the fight as a “mismatch” given Verhoeven’s lack of professional boxing experience.
If the WBC continues to allow Usyk to pursue his retirement plan without having to confront Kabayel, he risks a protracted legal battle that could completely freeze the heavyweight title. For Kabayel, the danger is being a “forgotten” champion, holding a belt that gives him stature but doesn’t provide a path to an actual championship before the king of the division, no matter the pound, hangs up his gloves.
This comment stood out because it reflected a broader theme running through the responses.
“I have to beat the next fight first,” one fan wrote.
“AJ is fed up,” wrote another.
“Itauma would humiliate AJ,” predicted a third commenter.
“The man is just talking nonsense, stfu and let’s see then,” wrote another fan.
Others questioned why Joshua had already spoken to Fury, Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, Moses Itauma and Deontay Wilder before joining Prengi.
This reaction shows how rapidly the opinion about the former two-time heavyweight champion has changed. Joshua still talks openly about becoming a three-time world champion and competing in the biggest fights available.
Many fans remain unconvinced.
Joshua lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out by Dubois in his last fight against a top heavyweight. These setbacks led some observers to doubt whether he could still compete with the most threatening fighters in the division.
Skepticism was evident throughout the reaction to Joshua’s list. Instead of debating which fight should come first, many fans focused on whether he could beat any of the opponents he mentioned.
Joshua sees Fury, Dubois, Wardley, Kabayel, Itauma and Wilder as the main options still available to him.
The WBO champion quickly accepted a fight with Davis after the challenger rose to the top of the rankings
Devin Haney wasted no time reacting after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings. The champion publicly welcomed the matchup, posting a low message on social media shortly after the updated rankings were released.
Let’s do it KEYSHAWN.. https://t.co/plq9hqQpBP
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) June 3, 2026
This is absolute theater and to look at it like everything else is to succumb to the promotional machine. The moment the WBO rankings dropped and Keyshawn took the No. 1 spot, Haney knew the clock was ticking.
Had he remained still or tried to minimize Keyshawn’s 147-pound inexperience, the boxing world would have immediately labeled him a shirker. By jumping on X and immediately matching the energy, he completely obfuscates this narrative. He begins to look like a fearless champion who is ready for everyone, knowing full well that posting on social media doesn’t cost a penny or require a contract.
The reality of the situation suggests that this is a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine desire for several different reasons:
- Financial reality: Haney always strives for the highest possible bottom line. While the Keyshawn fight is in high demand among die-hard fans, it doesn’t compare to the massive payday of a potential rematch with Ryan Garcia or the other blockbuster pay-per-view opportunities that are likely at the top of his wish list.
- Mandatory timeline cushion: Haney knows how bodywork mechanisms turn. Even with the WBO expected to order a mandatory challenge this summer, negotiations, price offers and promotional extensions could add months to the schedule. He has plenty of time to consider other options before the real pressure comes.
- Risk versus reward: Fighting a adolescent, hungry and highly skilled fighter like Keyshawn, who has never even fought at welterweight, is a hazardous proposition in a title defense when there are much more lucrative, established names on the market.
Haney’s quick response was a great defensive move outside the ring to protect his brand. He gave fans an exhilarating quote they wanted to see, but when it comes to actual network deals, promotional arrangements and guarantees, the energy will likely change. On social media it’s uncomplicated to say “Let’s do this”; it’s a completely different story when the contract is sitting on your desk.
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Last updated: 2026/06/03 at 1:58
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