The WBC has ordered Usyk to make a mandatory title defense against Kabala.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned a mandatory defense of the heavyweight championship for Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian boxer’s next opponent is undefeated German boxer Agit Kabayel.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced this on Pro Box TV.

According to him, Usyk already exercised his right to voluntarily defend his title by fighting Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Therefore, the Ukrainian is now obligated to face the mandatory challenger.

“The WBC’s decision was that one fight was voluntary, and then the winner would have to fight Kabal. That fight was sanctioned today, and it’s a mandatory defense for Usyk,” Sulaiman said.

The WBC president also defended the organization’s decision to allow Usyk’s title fight against Verhoeven, despite the Dutchman’s limited experience in professional boxing.

“Everyone criticized the WBC for sanctioning the title fight with Rico. Today, I can proudly say we did the right thing,” he emphasized.

As a reminder, on May 24 in Egypt, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven via technical knockout one second before the end of the 11th round. The Ukrainian currently holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF championship belts and remains undefeated in the professional ring, with 25 wins in 25 fights.

33-year-old Agit Kabayela is also undefeated in his career, with 27 wins in 27 fights.