Warren Pushes Kabayel For Usyk Fight, Rules Out Verhoeven Rematch

Frank Warren says he will block any rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven to secure WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel the next crack at the unified champion.

Kabayel has held the WBC interim strap since February, when he climbed off the canvas in the fifth round to stop Zhilei Zhang a frame later. The undefeated German watched from ringside Saturday night as Usyk dug deep to halt kickboxing star Verhoeven in the 11th round in Giza, and Warren told Sky Sports his fighter has waited long enough.

Warren Targets Autumn Date For Kabayel Title Shot

"Whatever happens, they're talking about maybe doing a rematch with Usyk and Rico. We're not going to stand for that," Warren said, per Sky Sports. "Usyk's been there long enough and [Kabayel] wants his moment. And that's what we'll be pushing for with WBC and hopefully we get it over the line and do that sometime in the autumn."

Kabayel, 33, stayed busy during his wait with a one-sided homecoming win over Damian Knyba in Oberhausen in January that drew 12,000 fans. The Ring's No. 2 contender carries a 27-0 record with 19 knockouts and has stopped everybody Queensberry has put in front of him since linking with Warren.

Warren praised Kabayel's hand speed and skills, adding that the German is "a real, real class act" who has earned the number one spot. The promoter believes Kabayel will be even more confident after watching the 39-year-old Usyk struggle at times to control a boxing novice like Verhoeven.

Usyk, a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, holds a 25-0 record with 16 stoppages. Warren said he will lobby the WBC to mandate Kabayel as the next challenger when Usyk decides his next move.

Source: ringmagazine.com