Deontay Wilder could find himself back in the heavyweight title picture if Oleksandr Usyk vacates the WBC title rather than face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, with Kabayel already publicly welcoming a fight with the former champion.
Kabayel, the unbeaten German who currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight title, made his interest clear when speaking to talkSport Boxing.
Let’s do it in Germany. Deontay Wilder vs Kabayel.
Wilder’s ranking keeps the scenario realistic. He currently sits at number seven with both the WBC and WBO and number ten in the IBF rankings despite back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. His April return saw him edge Derek Chisora by split decision, scoring two knockdowns in a performance that kept him relevant without fully answering questions about how much he has left.
Should Usyk choose to vacate the WBC title rather than meet his mandatory obligation, Kabayel would likely be elevated from interim to full champion and would need a mandatory defense. Wilder’s position in the WBC rankings could put him in line for exactly that opportunity.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are both expected to be occupied with their own commitments in the coming months, leaving gaps in the heavyweight contender landscape that Wilder could fill. A world title shot appeared impossible for Wilder just a few months ago. His ranking means it may be closer than it looks.
