WBC Sanctions Zhang vs. Kabayel for Interim Heavyweight Title

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has announced that the organization will sanction a bout for the interim WBC heavyweight title (over 90.7 kg) between China's Zhang Zhilei (27-2-1, 22 KOs) and Germany's Agit Kabayel (25-0, 17 KOs).

"The WBC has received an official request to sanction this fight for the interim title, and we have agreed. Why? Because over the past few years, we’ve done everything possible to organize the best fights in every division, especially in the heavyweight category.

At this moment, there’s no bigger fight than Usyk vs. Fury. With that bout on the horizon and considering future opportunities, we have decided to allow the second and third-ranked contenders to compete for the interim title. This approach keeps fighters active and ensures the best matchups in the division," said Sulaiman.

The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs).

In May, Agit Kabayel secured a seventh-round knockout victory over Frank Sanchez (24-1, 17 KOs). In June, Zhang Zhilei defeated Deontay Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) via a fifth-round technical knockout.