Agit Kabayel is expected to finalize his first defense as full WBC heavyweight champion by the end of this week, with the fight targeted for November in Germany.
Kabayel’s manager Spencer Brown told The Ring that the bout is close to being confirmed, although he did not officially name the opponent. Nelson Hysa has suggested on social media that he has secured the fight.
Kabayel was elevated from interim to full WBC champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title in June. He had previously defended the interim belt by stopping Damian Knyba in the third round.
Brown also revealed that the longer-term plan is to pursue a unification fight with IBF champion Filip Hrgovic in 2027, provided both men retain their titles.
Hrgovic won the IBF belt by stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round on August 29 and is expected to defend next against Frank Sanchez.
A Kabayel-Hrgovic fight would put the WBC and IBF heavyweight titles on the line, although mandatory obligations and sanctioning-body approvals could still affect whether the matchup happens next year.
Image Credit: BBC