FRUSTRATED Agit Kabayel has accused Oleksandr Usyk of prioritising a payday over what’s right after accepting a fight with Rico Verhoeven.
Kabayel has waited patiently for his shot at Usyk’s WBC title – but he has been made to wait after Verhoeven landed a controversial bout with the champion.
Usyk has been granted permission to face kickboxing great Verhoeven – with his WBC title on the line – on May 23 in Egypt.
And Kabayel fumed: “We fought [Arslanbek] Makhmudov, whom nobody wanted to fight against because he was seen as the great Grizzy, who basically knocked out everyone.
“We fought Frank Sanchez, who was also higher ranked than everyone at the top but nobody wanted to fight him.
“When I read the comments, people say, why doesn’t Agit fight [Deontay] Wilder or so-and-so, why should I box someone who is so far behind in the rankings when I box against people who are practically ahead of me?
“The fact we haven’t been able to secure the Usyk fight is questionable. I just think by now, Usyk isn’t looking for a sporting challenge anymore.
“He’s still thinking about a pay day. Like I said, I don’t want to throw away any chance.
“I’m close to achieving something big, but at some point, I have to be honest with you, it starts to get on your nerves.
“The way we train, we give it our all. I had ups and downs, and I thought, hey, you give it your all every time.
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The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov while Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven.
Conor Benn features for the first time since making the switch to Zuffa Boxing and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
March
- Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – George Liddard vs Tyler Denny – British & Commonwealth Middleweight title – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV
April
- Sat 4 – Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora – DAZN PPV
- Sun 5 – Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper – Sky Sports
- Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix
- Sat 11 – Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis – Netflix
- Sat 18 – Callum Smith vs David Morrell – DAZN
- Sat 18 – Manny Pacquiao vs Ruslan Provodnikov
- Sat 25 – Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka – DAZN
May
- Sat 2 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
- Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN
- Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
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“I’m up to No2 in all the rankings and yet people try to put obstacles in my way.
“But nevertheless, as I said, we’ll keep going, at least try to stay motivated, to stay clear in my head, and yeah, as I said, it’s not in our power, right?
“I hope God does it the way it’s written for me.”
The WBC initially refused to sanction Usyk’s crossover bout for the full title before backtracking on it ONE DAY later.
Verhoeven, 36, is a legend of kickboxing, not losing in TEN YEARS, but he has had just one boxing bout, winning by knockout in 2014.
SunSport understands Usyk, 39, must defend his WBC title against Kabayel, 33, in his next fight or else he will vacate the gold.
He lost his WBO belt for the same reason with Britain’s Fabio Wardley, 31, elevated to champ, defending it against Daniel Dubois, 28, on May 9.
Usyk says he has two more fights after Verhoeven – naming Wardley and Tyson Fury – who he twice beat in 2024 – as his ideal opponents.
Kabayel responded on Instagram: “My parents always told me to stay humble and respectful, but I can’t accept being ignored any longer.
“I deserve the title shot. How can he not name the number one in the rankings, his mandatory challenger?
“It’s just sad that he’d rather fight Dubois or Fury a third time, even though he’s already beaten them both twice.”
