Usyk team weighs Kabayel fight, retirement as WBC deadline looms

Oleksandr Usyk's team director says the former undisputed heavyweight champion could walk away from boxing entirely rather than accept an unviable offer to fight WBC interim titleholder Agit Kabayel.

Sergey Lapin, speaking for Team Usyk, told Snabbare that retirement remains an active possibility as the WBC's June 30 deadline approaches. "It is possible that fans have already seen him in the ring for the last time," Lapin said, per Bad Left Hook. "Or maybe there is still one more chapter left. We will know very soon."

Kabayel bout needs commercial backing to proceed

Lapin stressed that the 39-year-old Usyk respects Kabayel but needs the financial structure to justify another fight. "Agit Kabayel is an excellent fighter, a worthy champion, and a man we respect. There is nothing personal here," he said. "But fights of this magnitude are not made through social media or public pressure." The camp wants a serious site fee, broadcaster support, and purse guarantees before committing.

Kabayel won the interim WBC strap by stopping Zhilei Zhang in Riyadh last year and defended it with a technical knockout of Damian Knyba in Germany in January. Turki Alalshikh publicly backed the matchup after Usyk's contentious 11th-round stoppage of kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May.

But Usyk has vacated belts before when the timing or money did not align, and a rematch with Verhoeven could generate more revenue. If the Kabayel numbers fall short, the Ukrainian is prepared to relinquish the WBC hardware and pursue other options or hang up the gloves altogether. Lapin said a decision will be announced by the end of this week.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — ‘Nothing personal’: Usyk team director says Kabayel offer has to be right, retirement possible