Bild: Usyk vs. Kabayel not happening, Usyk likely to sign Zuffa

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Fleisch3000, Jun 26, 2026.


  1. Fleisch3000

    Fleisch3000 New Member Full Member

    46
    55
    Jun 4, 2025
    See translation below, they tend to be well informed

    https://www.bild.de/sport/mehr-spor...ksandr-usyk-geplatzt-6a3cfbef507c0ee6f17a79b4


    Usyk doesn't want to fight Kabayel
    Will the German now be declared world champion?

    It was supposed to be the biggest boxing match on German soil this century. For months there has been speculation about when our boxing hero Agit Kabayel (33) would finally fight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (39). BILD has now learned exclusively: there will be no duel! Instead, the Ukrainian may sign a contract with "Zuffa Boxing" in America. The organization is owned by UFC president Dana White. An immediate retirement from boxing is also still on the table.

    On Wednesday, Usyk's manager Sergey Lapin announced: "There's news I'd like to share. But all in good time. The wait will soon be over." According to BILD's information, however, this news has nothing to do with a Usyk fight against Kabayel. Because although the World Boxing Council (WBC) had officially ordered this duel in early June, there have been no serious signs of negotiating intent from Usyk and his team to this day.

    Kabayel's manager Lasse Krüger confirms to BILD: "There has been the occasional contact with Usyk and his people over the past weeks and months. But it doesn't look like Usyk fancies a hard day's work with Agit in the ring."
     
    Overhand94 likes this.
  2. Chuck Norris

    Chuck Norris Obsessed with Boxing

    27,914
    40,587
    Aug 31, 2016
  3. Ike

    Ike Active Member Full Member

    845
    1,208
    Feb 20, 2025
    From what Lapin said this week it was clear that the fight with Kabayel wouldn't happen. I hope Usyk doesn't sign with Zuffa Boxing but retires. The Ukrainian champion will be forty in January and we all saw his performance against Verhoeven. Father time is undefeated, retiring now would be a great thing.
     
  4. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,959
    6,014
    Jan 6, 2024
    I'm shocked. Who could have seen this coming?
     
    MarkusFlorez99 likes this.
  5. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    17,127
    19,081
    Jan 13, 2021
    Daniel Dubois can deal with Kabayel just like he did to Wardley and Aj. Dubois will enhance Usyks legacy will Usyk can take some time off

    Next stop, Deontay Wilder before calling it a career. Usyk needs to beat that 3 headed dragon
     
  6. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,959
    6,014
    Jan 6, 2024
    Then Andy Ruiz, then Luis Ortiz then Charles Martin. Then the cross town special with Glazkow.
     
    Finkel and LoveThis like this.
  7. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

    7,147
    10,789
    Sep 19, 2021
    If Usyk joins Zuffa, how about fighting Opetaia? It’s not like Opetaia is below 200 before a water cut, he doesn’t need to change anything to fight at HW.
     
  8. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

    15,130
    19,433
    Mar 17, 2018
    And people were telling me Zuffa had no interest in the HW division...
     
    AlwaysFirst likes this.
  9. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

    7,147
    10,789
    Sep 19, 2021
    God dammit, they’re gonna sign Fury too and then we are going to get Usyk-Fury 3 for the Zuffa HW belt aren’t we? Maybe Opetaia-Billam Smith as a co-main if they really want to go all out?
     
    Dangerwood84 likes this.
  10. Wizbit1013

    Wizbit1013 Drama go, and don't come back Full Member

    15,130
    19,433
    Mar 17, 2018
    I wouldn't rule it out lol
     
  11. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,129
    6,534
    Jul 31, 2021
    Lmao. Kabayel absolutely wrecks Dubios.
     
    pacas likes this.
  12. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,590
    3,881
    Sep 30, 2021
    Dubois KOes Kabayel easily.
     
    rinsj likes this.
  13. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,590
    3,881
    Sep 30, 2021
    Usyk will fight Opetaia at cruiserweight in Zuffa Boxing.
     
    kostya by ko likes this.
  14. Reuben Jones

    Reuben Jones Member Full Member

    357
    516
    Nov 20, 2022
    I really hope this doesn't mean we see Usyk-Fury 3. Apart from the fact it isn't needed, It will **** me off if Fury beats him just because Usyk is old, and then we have Fury boasting about it and saying nonsense like 'See, I told you I won the first two fights. We had fair judges this time'. Ugh, it sickens me to think about it.
     
  15. Reuben Jones

    Reuben Jones Member Full Member

    357
    516
    Nov 20, 2022
    Dana White isn't stupid. He knows boxing is nothing without heavyweight. Unlike the UFC, where the heavyweight division and every heavyweight champion are almost treated like they're an inconvenience to the sport, which is weird.