Oleksandr Usyk handed world title ultimatum by WBC after request granted

We don’t know who Oleksandr Usyk is set to face next, but we do know who he will be ordered to box afterwards.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion must defend his belts against interim title holder Agit Kabayel following a voluntary defence.

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Usyk hasn’t set foot in the ring since his five-round demolition job of Daniel Dubois in July to unify the division.

The Ukrainian didn’t retain his undisputed status for long, as he was stripped of his WBO belt within two months of winning it, after rejecting a mandatory defence against Fabio Wardley.

Usyk did so with the knowledge that he would be facing Deontay Wilder next.

The WBA, WBC and IBF all cleared the path for the bout to take place by granting Usyk a voluntary defence.

However, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has elected to box Derek Chisora instead, leaving Usyk out in the cold.

Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr and kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven have been floated around as potential dance partners for ‘The Cat’, while a long-awaited date with Kabayel looms.

“Kabayel was not available because he had a fight scheduled in January,” Sulaiman told Chris Mannix.

“So [Usyk] requested a voluntary title defence, which is very customary.

“He was given that opportunity, and he must fight the interim champion next. That’s the ruling.”

Kabayel picked up the interim WBC strap by chopping down Zhilei Zhang inside six rounds in February last year.

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He subsequently defended his belt on January 10, blasting away Damian Knyba in front of a sold-out Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Rather than sitting on the sidelines and waiting for his shot at a full world title, the fast-rising 33-year-old intends to remain active this year.

His promoter, Frank Warren, is eyeing another home fight for the German superstar in the Spring, with WBC No.1-rated contender Lawrence Okolie being floated around as a potential opponent.

“We had the balls to go there, do it and take that chance,” Warren told Ring Magazine.

“Going back a long time, there’s always been a lot of love for boxing in Germany, and they’ve got a hero.

“The arena sold out in just over a day. He’s fighting in May, and we’re going for a bigger venue next time.”