Kabayel captured the WBC interim heavyweight title in February 2025 with an impressive stoppage of Zhilei Zhang, securing mandatory status in the process. He later stayed active by knocking out Damian Knyba in January while awaiting his title opportunity.

I just finished an incredibly sensitive Zoom video call con AGIT Kabayel, George Warren, Spencer Brown and some WBC board members in have confirmed that AGIT is the WBC Heavyweight champion of the world as per the WBC board of governors voting. Congratulations champ!@WBCBoxing… pic.twitter.com/78MGM4qlYq

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) June 27, 2026

Earlier this month, the WBC ordered Usyk and Kabayel to negotiate a championship bout, setting a June 30 deadline before purse bids would be scheduled if no agreement could be reached. Usyk’s decision to vacate the belt instead cleared the way for Kabayel to become the full champion.

The unbeaten 32-year-old now owns a 27-0 record with 19 knockouts and joins the ranks of heavyweight world champions without having to fight for the vacant title. While some champions are crowned after winning a vacant championship bout, Kabayel earned promotion by first claiming the interim belt and remaining the WBC’s mandatory challenger.

The elevation marks the biggest achievement of Kabayel’s career and reshapes the heavyweight title picture as Usyk prepares for what is expected to be the final bout of his professional career later this year.

His patient approach ultimately paid off after more than a year as interim champion.