According to German news, five potential opponents are mentioned. Tony Yoka Andrii Novytskyi Petar Milas Guido Vianello Kem Ljungquist
Andrii Novytskyi isn't terrible. Milas would put up a good fight, he's looked very good in his past two fights. Lingquist would have little chance of winning. It will likely be someone with Queensberry: Yoka, who has done nothing to deserve it, or Vianello, who didn't look good in his last fight.
Rankings by WBC Tony Yoka - not ranked in top 40 Andrii Novytskyi - #10 Petar Milas - #24 Guido Vianello - #19 Kem Ljungquist - not ranked in top 40 If they're going to fight someone outside the top 15 how's about Sirenko who is ranked #25? I'm not saying he deserves a shot or would be close to my first choice but he's more deserving than some of those names mentioned and better than most of them too or roughly about the same level if not. And he can punch and is coming off a good win and HL reel KO so at least he would pose some kind of a threat
Most HW champions end up with a soft touch for a first defence so I'm not shocked here.. Nor am I disappointed because of the history of first defences However I don't get the feeling Kabayel is gonna be taking on all challengers thereafter