If they were going to put him against someone like Hysa to 'stay busy' they should have done it a long time ago, instead of waiting a year and wasting your career away!
That was always unlikely to happen, but if anyone could do it, it would be the Saudis. Parker has recently been talking about "unifying the interims/mandatories" if he can't get the Usyk fight, he listed Wardley, Chisora and Kabayel as potential targets.
Kabayel like Bakole was not groomed to become a boxer, it was a needs must and they made headway in boxing circles because they made good sparring which turned into elite sparring....problem is once Bakole got his mainstream break he didn't change his lifestyle to that of a full time athlete boxer which as Fury can attest to will get you into trouble more often than not especially if you lack raw talent, Bakole blew it. Kabayel is somewhat the same with more caution....he should ignore the imaginary title shot line...just fight Parker. I don't think Kabayel or Parker will get a Usyk fight at this rate, maybe a vacant belt....but ultimatly both will go for the money and king turki is dictating that. When Turki takes out his funds next year I don't expect to see Parker Vs Usyk as the headline bout...do you? Fury AJ maybe but only if Fury gets payed a stupid amount given he still wants a Usyk trilogy. Sadly for Usyk as well he's still not a draw for casuals...How does Usyk Parker in Ridyah compete with Fury AJ at Wembley? It doesn't, staggered timings required. I don't want to see Usyk waste one of his final bouts against Parker.
The interim period could be excused by the pandemic. But if we're going to isolate those 3 years as a problem I do get what you're saying. I think Kabayel in part cause he didn't get a title shot for so long had one of the best pre title resumes. EBU/NABF/NABO is a fairly nice collection of trinkets. I think the Sanchez win should age well. How many HWs before they win titles have a better run then Kabayel? Especially now. Not very many. Most contenders don't wait as long so you can look at it both ways.
Yes he's a top guy and very likeable Wish the interviewer had asked him to compare the power of fighters he's fought: Big Bang, Mak, Chisora, Sanchez and even other fighters he's fought like Smakici
I saw someone said that he was depressed? That honestly would make a lot of sense as to why his career stapled out like it did.
I know right, the perceived wisdom which has been followed for decades is to sit on one's title shot and take a light touch or two while waiting for one's opportunity.