WBC will sanction Zhang vs Kabayel for interim heavyweight title

Zhilei Zhang may face Agit Kabayel for an interim title in 2025.

Mauricio Sulaiman says that the WBC has “received a formal request” to sanction Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel for their interim heavyweight title, and that the organization will agree to do so.

Sulaiman also says that the winner of the Usyk vs Fury rematch on Dec. 21 will not have an immediate mandatory order from the WBC.

Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO) has won three of his last four, stopping Joe Joyce twice in 2023 before a majority decision loss to Joseph Parker this past March, followed by a TKO-5 win over Deontay Wilder on June 1.

The 41-year-old “Big Bang” has maintained a strong position as a contender in the division, while Kabayel (25-0, 17 KO) broke through as a legitimate contender himself over the last year.

The 32-year-old German demolished Arslanbek Makhmudov last December, and fought once in 2024, stopping Frank Sanchez in the seventh round on May 18 in Riyadh.

This doesn’t mean that Zhang vs Kabayel is guaranteed, but it seems the likely direction right now, and it is a good fight between contenders.