Agit Kabayel reacts to Oleksandr Usyk vacating heavyweight titles and announcing boxing retirement fight

Oleksandr Usyk and Agit Kabayel had been linked to a potential fight against one another for a considerable period of time. Nevertheless, it now seems that their long-awaited heavyweight boxing showdown may not materialize. 

The vast majority of boxing fans and experts were caught by surprise this week, as the sport's consensus lineal heavyweight champion, Usyk, vacated his WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF heavyweight belts. 

Additionally, Usyk announced that his next fight would be his "last dance" inside the squared circle, the final match of his professional boxing career. That said, some fans have opined that the 39-year-old had been hinting that he's nearing the end of his fighting career. They believe that his vacating the belts was somewhat expected. 

Well, the 33-year-old Kabayel, who's the WBC interim heavyweight champion and the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight title, has now put forth a message to Usyk after the latter's aforementioned announcement. 

Agit Kabayel and other heavyweights eye world titles as Oleksandr Usyk heads into farewell fight

As of this time, Oleksandr Usyk still holds The Ring heavyweight title. The boxing savant is a former undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. 

Of boxing's big four titles (WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF), Usyk lately held the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts at heavyweight, and he's now vacated them.

"The Cat" put forth an X post revealing the same, as well as a video message, highlighting that he's vacated the belts because he doesn't want to stall the heavyweight division and intends to let other heavyweights get an opportunity to capture championship gold. 

Usyk's final boxing matchup's opponent and date haven't been officially revealed as of yet. Furthermore, as for the big four titles at heavyweight, Murat Gassiev is the WBA world heavyweight champion, while Kabayel is the WBC interim heavyweight titlist. 

Daniel Dubois is the reigning WBO heavyweight champion, whereas the IBF heavyweight title is vacant. Fight fans can expect top-tier heavyweights such as Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Moses Itauma, Frank Sanchez, and others to attempt to capture the heavyweight belts vacated by the outgoing Usyk. 

Attention‼️Important update
⁰I am vacating my unified WBA, IBF and WBC heavyweight world titles ahead of stepping into the ring for my final fight.

— Oleksandr Usyk (@usykaa) June 26, 2026

Agit Kabayel's reaction to Oleksandr Usyk vacating his boxing heavyweight titles

Taking to Instagram, Agit Kabayel subsequently posted a few photographs of his recent in-ring faceoff with Usyk that transpired after Usyk's win over Rico Verhoeven last month. 

Also, Germany's Kabayel attached a statement to his post, affirming his respect for the veteran Ukrainian pugilist's accomplishments. Kabayel wrote: 

"A true champion is defined by his actions both inside and outside the ring. Usyk has won everything there is to win, fighting the best of the best and proving his greatness time and time again." 

"By putting down the belts, he once again shows his class. He isn't holding the division back--he's giving the next generation its chance. Of course, I wanted to share the ring with him one day, but I have nothing but respect for everything he has achieved. I wish him and his family nothing but the best." 

Moreover, Kabayel suggested that he hopes he'll be in attendance for Usyk's final boxing match and have an opportunity to pay tribute to his outstanding career. 

"Bodysnatcher" also appeared to lightheartedly indicate that he'll stop pushing the horses from now on, meaning that he wouldn't be rushing anymore. He thereby implied that his path to WBC full-champion status is clearer now, as he wouldn't have to continue his long wait for the Usyk fight. 

Kabayel further signaled that it's because it's clear that he's set to take over as the new ruler of the heavyweight division, whilst also tagging the WBC and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman's Instagram handles in his statement. 

Check out Agit Kabayel's Instagram post regarding Oleksandr Usyk's title vacating announcement below: 

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A post shared by agitkabayel (@agitkabayel)