Lawrence Okolie Says WBC Must Enforce Kabayel Mandatory If Usyk Delays

Former cruiserweight champion says the WBC must enforce Agit Kabayel’s mandatory challenge for the heavyweight title

Lawrence Okolie says the WBC must enforce Agit Kabayel’s mandatory heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk. The former cruiserweight champion believes the sanctioning body should strip the belt if the defense does not happen.

Usyk currently holds the WBC heavyweight title but is preparing for a crossover fight against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven instead of facing Kabayel, the interim champion and mandatory challenger.

Okolie said teams involved in the heavyweight title picture may need to push the sanctioning body to make sure the mandatory fight happens.

“Everyone’s going to have to force the issue, Agit’s team, my team,” Okolie said to Sky Sports. “We’re all going to have to force the position and hope that the WBC does the right thing.”

Kabayel earned the interim title and the mandatory spot for the full championship. If the titleholder does not defend against the mandatory challenger, the belt can be taken away and made available for another fight.

Okolie believes that step could become necessary if the Kabayel fight is not agreed.

“Usyk has to fight him,” Okolie said. “If he doesn’t box him in a timely fashion and agree, strip him and then let him box whoever he wants to box at the end of the year.”

That outcome would place Kabayel in a position to fight for the full WBC heavyweight championship, with Okolie hoping to move into contention if he wins his next bout.

Okolie faces Tony Yoka on April 25 in Paris. A victory would improve his standing in the WBC rankings and move him closer to Kabayel in the title line.

The former cruiserweight champion said the opportunity for a heavyweight title fight is one reason he wants a strong result against Yoka.

“That’s why I’m so eager to beat Yoka and beat him well because I know what comes off the back end of it,” Okolie said. “So I’ve just got to get it done.”

Okolie also shared his view on another heavyweight title bout expected later this year. He believes Daniel Dubois will defeat Fabio Wardley if they meet for the WBO belt.

“I think that Dubois is going to win because he’s got a lot more experience at the level and he’s beaten better guys,” Okolie said. “If they start trading, unless Fabio’s that much quicker than him, Dan definitely punches harder than him.”

For now, Okolie remains focused on the Yoka fight in Paris while the heavyweight division waits to see whether the WBC orders Usyk to defend the belt against Kabayel.

Okolie faces Tony Yoka on April 25 in Paris.