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.
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