The heavyweight boxing division could be heading toward another blockbuster showdown as Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has revealed that a fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Agit Kabayel is now the likely next step following Usyk’s controversial victory over Rico Verhoeven in Egypt.
Usyk, who remains one of boxing’s most dominant heavyweight champions, faced massive criticism after his recent stoppage win over Verhoeven during the high-profile “Glory in Giza” event staged near the pyramids in Egypt. The bout generated huge global attention because Verhoeven, widely regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers of his generation, pushed the Ukrainian champion harder than many expected.
The ending of the fight immediately sparked controversy across the boxing world. Many fans, analysts, and former fighters argued that the referee stopped the contest too early despite Verhoeven still attempting to defend himself after being knocked down late in the 11th round. Several scorecards released after the fight also intensified debate, with some observers believing the Dutch star had been competitive throughout the contest and may even have been leading on points before the stoppage.
Despite growing calls for an immediate rematch, Turki Alalshikh appears focused on ensuring Kabayel finally receives his long-awaited title opportunity. According to multiple boxing reports, Alalshikh confirmed that Kabayel has waited patiently for his chance at the heavyweight crown and discussions are already ongoing regarding a possible stadium fight in Germany later this year.
Kabayel’s rise to the top of the heavyweight rankings has been impossible to ignore. The undefeated German has quietly built one of the most impressive recent resumes in the division with major victories over dangerous contenders such as Frank Sanchez, Arslanbek Makhmudov, and Zhilei Zhang. Those performances earned him the WBC interim heavyweight championship and positioned him as the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBC title.
The WBC has also reportedly maintained its position that Kabayel should be next in line rather than a second fight between Usyk and Verhoeven. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman recently reiterated confidence that the organization wants the Usyk-Kabayel fight to happen next, despite the commercial interest surrounding a Rico rematch.
For Usyk, the potential clash with Kabayel would represent another serious challenge in an already legendary heavyweight run. Over the last few years, the Ukrainian star has defeated elite names including Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois while cementing himself as one of the greatest fighters of his era. However, critics believe the Verhoeven performance showed possible signs of decline due to age and mileage.
At 39 years old, questions are now emerging about how much longer Usyk can continue operating at the highest level, especially against younger and physically aggressive opponents like Kabayel. The German heavyweight is known for his relentless pressure, body attacks, and durability — qualities that could create major problems even for a technically gifted champion like Usyk.
Meanwhile, Rico Verhoeven’s stock has arguably risen despite the loss. The Dutch kickboxing icon earned widespread respect for his performance and has already been linked with a possible rematch against Usyk or even crossover mega-fights involving other heavyweight combat sports stars.
As negotiations continue behind the scenes, boxing fans are already debating whether Kabayel has the style and momentum needed to finally dethrone Usyk. If the fight becomes official, it could easily become one of the biggest heavyweight events of the year and another defining chapter in the rapidly evolving heavyweight division.
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