Oleksandr Usyk Vacates the WBC Title
A new championship era has officially begun in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight division. Following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to voluntarily vacate his WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles, undefeated German heavyweight Agit Kabayel, who previously held the WBC Interim Heavyweight title, has been recognized as the new WBC Heavyweight World Champion.
Not long ago, Usyk successfully defended his WBC title by defeating Rico Verhoeven via technical knockout in the 11th round. The historic bout, held at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, became one of the most memorable boxing events of the year and once again confirmed the Ukrainian’s status as one of the greatest champions of his generation.
Following the victory, the WBC granted Team Usyk time to negotiate a mandatory title defense against Interim WBC Heavyweight Champion Agit Kabayel. However, on June 26, the Ukrainian announced his decision to voluntarily vacate his WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles, explaining that he wanted to give the next generation of fighters the opportunity to compete for the sport’s most prestigious championships before bringing his professional career to a close.
The announcement also came as a surprise to the WBC. WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán acknowledged Oleksandr Usyk’s tremendous contribution to the sport of boxing and expressed his appreciation for the Ukrainian champion’s professionalism, years of cooperation, and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.
At the same time, Usyk’s decision allowed the WBC to proceed in accordance with its regulations. Under WBC rules, when a reigning champion voluntarily vacates a title, the Interim Champion is elevated to full champion status. As a result, Agit Kabayel was officially recognized as the new WBC Heavyweight World Champion, ensuring the continuity of the division’s championship lineage.
Who is Agit Kabayel?
Agit Kabayel is an undefeated German heavyweight who held the WBC Interim Heavyweight title before being elevated to full champion. In recent years, he has earned impressive victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, Zhilei Zhang, and Damian Knyba, establishing himself among the elite heavyweights in the world.
For Kabayel, this marks the biggest achievement of his professional career. He earned his place among the division’s top contenders by capturing the WBC Interim title and consistently proving himself against high-level opposition. Now, he begins his reign as the WBC Heavyweight World Champion.
Despite the change at the top of the division, Oleksandr Usyk’s accomplishments remain unquestionable. He vacates the title while still undefeated and following another successful championship defense. Usyk became one of the few fighters in boxing history to achieve undisputed champion status in two weight divisions, securing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
For Ukraine, Usyk’s legacy extends far beyond championship belts. His victories became a symbol of the country’s strength, while his professionalism, discipline, and dedication have inspired an entire generation of young boxers. Throughout his career, he proudly represented Ukraine on the international stage and made an immeasurable contribution to the development and global recognition of Ukrainian boxing.
Today, the Heavyweight division turns a new page in its history. The championship mantle has passed to Agit Kabayel, while Oleksandr Usyk’s reign will forever remain one of the brightest chapters in the history of the World Boxing Council and professional boxing as a whole.
