WBC orders Oleksandr Usyk to fight Agit Kabayel, immediately after Usyk’s voluntary defense

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by BoxerMaurits, Feb 12, 2026.

?

Who wins?

  1. Oleksandr Usyk

    37 vote(s)
    88.1%

  2. Agit Kabayal

    5 vote(s)
    11.9%
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  1. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Usyk doesn't care but he was already putting himself at a big disadvantage of getting robbed by doing so when he was in his prime or younger than he is now but at 39 y/o and even more diminished the chances of that happening or just losing fair and square against younger or much younger hungry challengers who already hold a big or huge size advantage over him increase dramatically so he can't keep doing it again and again and tempting fate. And he's been doing it for so long now that many take it for granted and won't even afford him the credit for doing it so he needs to start being a bit shrewder at this stage of his career
     
    Serge, Feb 14, 2026
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  2. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    I get that but Big Frank and co have been acting like Germany is the only option when we literally have a country in between Ukraine and Germany both of which border it and Usyk has already fought x 2 and if Kaybayel is this big star in his homeland now then there's no reason why his fans can't travel to said country. They've never even mentioned Poland as an option and Usyk sells everywhere he fights
     
    Serge, Feb 14, 2026
    #32
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  3. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Serge, Feb 14, 2026
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  4. Ike

    Ike Active Member Full Member

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    I often criticize the WBC for how it handles titles and rankings, but this time they're right, rankings should always be respected (and Kabayel deserve this chance). So Kabayel will get his chance, I don't know when (July was mentioned for Usyk - Wilder some time ago, if the Ukrainian champion makes a voluntary title defense in July Usyk - Kabayel fight could happen in early 2027). I wouldn't rule out the possibility that, given a good offer, Usyk will face Kabayel immediately, because looking at the WBC rankings, I wonder who the Ukrainian might face for a voluntary defense. I hope that if Wilder beats Chisora negotiations between him and Usyk don't resume. But I won't speculate any further, let's wait and see what happens.
     
    Ike, Feb 14, 2026
    #34
  5. Camps

    Camps Active Member Full Member

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    Really hoping this happens and glad WBC is forcing the issue.

    Ticket sales for an Usyk-Kabayel fight would be just fine. Especially after the fight's properly promoted.

    That said, I'm afraid I agree with others here that Usyk's just as likely to drop the belt.

    Anyway.... I never thought I'd find myself applauding a Sulaiman .... :)
     
    Camps, Feb 14, 2026
    #35
  6. sid

    sid Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This""""""""""""""
     
    sid, Feb 14, 2026
    #36
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  7. LoveThis

    LoveThis Sweet Science Full Member

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    He doesn't need applauding to order that fight. As far as I understand it, it means more money for the wbc.
     
    LoveThis, Feb 15, 2026
    #37
  8. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Kabayel doesn't have any major size advantage over Usyk. They are similar height. Kabayel is 15 lbs heavier but its fluff- Kabayel is carrying at least 20 lbs of extra body fat.
     
    dmt, Feb 15, 2026
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  9. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Nah, he's naturally much bigger. Not in terms of height and reach but just in terms of thickness. He turned pro at 238, has come in as high as 269, as low as 230, but has generally been around the 235-240 mark. Usyk has had to bulk up a lot to weigh what he does now. Kabayel might look a bit pudgy but I think that's just his natural body type

    Here he is weighing 241. He's solid and as you can see he carries it well, is light on his feet and moves well, has good hand speed, and a high output and a great engine

    And let me tell you a bit of fat ain't no joke it's still weight and additional power

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    Serge, Feb 15, 2026
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  10. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Right after Dubois rematch, Usyk said "37 is not old, 37 is just the beginning", so if the paycheck is big enough, Usyk will definitely fight Kabayel.

    We all saw Knyba reconstructed Kabayel's face in just 2 rounds, I think Usyk will knock him out in 5.
     
    OldSchoolBoxing, Feb 15, 2026
    #40
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  11. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Yes fair enough. I do think Kabayel at 269 is due to laziness. Virtually no 6'2 or 6'3 man on planet weighs 270 lbs naturally without either being overweight or on some kind of performance enhancers like Arnold. Kabayel coming in at 269 isn't evidence of him being naturally big, its more evidence of poor preparation and lack of discipline with his diet.

    Usyk hasn't bulked up as much as folks think. He is 6'2 or 6'3, and likely weighed around 210 lbs at cruiserweight. He moved up and has been around 220 lbs. He has put on a few pounds since although i do believe his best weight is around the 220 lbs mark.

    Yes Kabayel is a bit thicker but as i said, i don't think he would weigh 240 lbs if he was fighting in the 15 round era. A lot of modern heavies are carrying extra weight. Kabayel has good stamina at 240 lbs but i believe he would likely be a better fighter if he was 10 lbs lighter.
     
    dmt, Feb 15, 2026
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  12. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    Yeah there's no way he should be weighing 269. That being said, this is the fight where he allegedly did weigh that much and whilst looking pudgy he carried it very well and still had quick hands and looked light enough on his feet, assuming the weight is correct that is. He was coming in heavier during that stage of his career but his 2nd heaviest weight was 253 so who knows

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    Usyk weighed 207 and 208 in his only fights at CW where the fight night weights were announced. I think his optimum fighting weight is 210-211 max IMO and anything above that detracts from him and he definitely shouldn't be weighing above 221

    Kabayel's would probably be 230. But even 15-20lbs is a lot of weight to give away. Dubois was only 12lbs heavier than Usyk in their first fight but the size and power advantage was still very telling

    FTR, HW boxer Nick Campbell has sparred Kabayel and he said he's super fit and that he's the fittest HW he's sparred so he's a real problem
     
    Serge, Feb 15, 2026
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  13. Reg

    Reg Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    ;)
    unfair for Agit:tiburon:
     
    Reg, Feb 15, 2026
    #43
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  14. Finkel

    Finkel Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hopefully, he isn't going to pull a Mayweather and fight Ruiz. Why is Ruiz even on that poll anyway?
     
    Finkel, Feb 18, 2026
    #44
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