Full Breakdown
Usyk’s Mandatory Path and Emerging Heavyweight Options: Frank Warren’s Outlook
5/8/2026, 9:28:13 PM
Upcoming WBC Mandate and Potential Opponents
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has indicated that, after Oleksandr Usyk’s scheduled bout in Egypt, the organization will order a defense against its interim heavyweight champion, Agit Kabayel. Frank Warren explained that Usyk must either face Kabayel, vacate the WBC title, or relinquish all belts to pursue a fight of his choosing. Warren added that the heavyweight division currently offers “plenty of heavyweights” for Usyk, including the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois contest for the WBO crown. Should Usyk decline the Kabayel defense, the next mandatory challenger would be the #1 ranked contender, with the #2 contender stepping in if the #1 is unavailable.
Moses Itauma: Warren’s Assessment of a Rising Contender
British prospect Moses Itauma, 21, recently delivered a knockout of Jermaine Franklin and has been highlighted as a potential world-title challenger. Warren praised Itauma’s “composure, speed, boxing brain, ability and maturity” and noted his “fast hands” and “shots from unconventional angles.” He stated that, provided Itauma continues winning, a world-title bout could materialise by the end of the year. Warren also emphasized that any such fight should occur “at a good time, not when the guy’s really over the hill,” underscoring his preference for match-ups between fighters on the rise.
Official Statements & Responses
Frank Warren, a veteran promoter, reiterated that the WBC will dictate Usyk’s next mandatory defense against Kabayel. He clarified that a refusal to fight Kabayel would compel Usyk to vacate the belt, after which the organization would enforce the next mandatory challenger order. Warren also indicated that Usyk could elect to vacate all titles to arrange a bout of his own design, citing the depth of the heavyweight pool. Regarding Itauma, Warren expressed personal enthusiasm for a potential Usyk-Itauma clash, describing it as a fight he would “make now” if the opportunity arose, while also acknowledging that other pathways—such as a Kabayel defense or a unification with the Wardley-Dubois winner—remain viable.
Criticism & Opposition
The source material does not present dissenting opinions or criticism of Warren’s analysis; no alternative viewpoints on Usyk’s next opponent are recorded.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The WBC after Usyk’s fight in Egypt will order that Usyk has to defend against the interim mandatory challenger in Agit Kabayel. So he’s either going to fight him or he’s not and we’ll decide what happens.” — Frank Warren, promoter
- “I fancy that fight. I'll be honest with you, I fancy that fight right now. And I don't rush anyone. If we could make that fight, I'd make that now.” — Frank Warren, on a potential Usyk-Itauma bout
- “If Usyk wants to fight him or anybody else then he’s got to vacate the belts. Simple as that, because that’s where we are. These guys have fought for the right to be in the #1 spot for the mandatories, and I’ve got a tremendous respect for Usyk, so he’s either going to fight them or he’s not and if he’s not, whoever’s #1 will fight #2 for the belt.” — Frank Warren, on title vacating
- “Provided he keeps winning, he will fight for the world title by the end of the year.” — Frank Warren, on Moses Itauma’s trajectory
- “His next fight will be ordered by the WBC. He holds that belt and it will be against Agit Kabayel, who is the interim champion. He’s either going to fight him or he’s not going to fight him. If he don’t fight him, he’ll vacate the title. Then the next mandatory is due, and he’ll have to fight the #1 or vacate the belt. Or he can vacate all the belts and just fight who he likes. We’ve got plenty of heavyweights for him to fight.” — Frank Warren, on Usyk’s opponent pool
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree that the WBC will order a Kabayel defense, but they differ on the likelihood of Usyk complying versus vacating titles. No definitive schedule for a Kabayel fight or an alternative opponent has been confirmed, leaving the exact timing of Usyk’s next bout uncertain.
What’s Next
The heavyweight landscape will be shaped by the upcoming Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois clash, the WBC’s pending order for a Kabayel defense, and the possibility of a Moses Itauma title challenge before year-end. Warren’s comments suggest that any of these scenarios could materialise, depending on Usyk’s strategic choices and the governing bodies’ mandates.
