Agit Kabayel has not been named the WBC heavyweight champion, and the governing body has made no such announcement regarding the German boxer. While reports circulated in German media suggesting the Bochum-born fighter had been elevated to champion status following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate titles, the World Boxing Council (WBC) maintains its current rankings with Oleksandr Usyk as the undisputed champion.
The Status of the WBC Heavyweight Title
The confusion surrounding the heavyweight title stems from Oleksandr Usyk’s recent administrative moves. Following his victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. In June 2024, Usyk announced via social media that he would vacate his IBF title to ensure it remained active for other contenders.
Despite this, the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles remain held by the Ukrainian. According to the official WBC rankings, Usyk is listed as the champion. Agit Kabayel, who defeated Frank Sanchez in May 2024, is currently positioned as a top contender within the WBC hierarchy but does not hold the world title.
Agit Kabayel’s Position in the Rankings
Agit Kabayel entered the global spotlight following his dominant performance against the previously undefeated Frank Sanchez. This victory moved the 31-year-old up the WBC ladder, making him a mandatory challenger for future title opportunities.
Kabayel has publicly expressed his desire to face the world’s best. In interviews with German media outlets, including ntv, Kabayel noted his ambition to secure a world title fight. However, there is no verification from the WBC that the organization has stripped Usyk of his green-and-gold belt or promoted Kabayel to "world champion" status.
Historical Context: The Max Schmeling Legacy
The reference to Max Schmeling in recent reports highlights the long drought of German heavyweights at the pinnacle of the sport. Max Schmeling remains the only German boxer to hold the world heavyweight championship, having won the title in 1930 and famously defending it until 1932.
While German boxing fans are eager for a successor to Schmeling’s legacy, the current sanctioning body rules require a fighter to either defeat the incumbent champion or compete for a vacant title in a sanctioned bout. As of today, no such bout has been scheduled between Kabayel and Usyk.
Fact Check: Why the Confusion Occurred
The reports claiming Kabayel was named champion appear to be a misunderstanding of the post-undisputed landscape. When a champion vacates a belt, the sanctioning body typically orders the two highest-ranked contenders to fight for the vacant title. Because Usyk vacated the IBF title, the WBC belt remains unaffected.
Kabayel’s camp has been vocal about his readiness to fight for the top honors, but the WBC has not confirmed any change to his status. The boxer continues to train as the number one contender, waiting for the organization to finalize the path to a world title fight.
Keep reading