The unbeaten German has been promoted from interim champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the WBC heavyweight title instead of making a mandatory defense
Agit Kabayel is officially the new WBC heavyweight champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title rather than proceed with a mandatory defense. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the promotion on Saturday, ending Kabayel’s lengthy wait to become a full world champion.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Saturday that Kabayel has been elevated from WBC interim champion to full titleholder following Usyk’s decision to relinquish his WBC championship rather than proceed with a mandatory title defense.
Kabayel had held the WBC interim belt since February 2025, when he stopped Zhilei Zhang with a punishing body attack to earn mandatory challenger status. He remained patient while waiting for his opportunity, staying active with a third-round knockout of Damian Knyba earlier this year.
The WBC recently ordered Usyk to defend his title against Kabayel, with both camps given until June 30 to reach an agreement before the bout would head to purse bids. Instead, Usyk vacated the championship, allowing Kabayel to inherit the full version of the belt.
The promotion caps a steady rise for the undefeated German, who has built a 27-0 professional record with 19 knockouts while defeating a string of respected heavyweight contenders. Although Kabayel becomes champion without defeating Usyk in the ring, he had already secured his position as the WBC’s mandatory challenger by winning the interim title and successfully maintaining it.
With Kabayel now recognized as the WBC heavyweight champion, the division moves into a new era following Usyk’s decision to relinquish three of his world titles while pursuing what has been described as the final fight of his professional career.
I just finished an incredibly sensitive Zoom video call con AGIT Kabayel, George Warren, Spencer Brown and some WBC board members in have confirmed that AGIT is the WBC Heavyweight champion of the world as per the WBC board of governors voting. Congratulations champ!@WBCBoxing… pic.twitter.com/78MGM4qlYq
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) June 27, 2026