Terence Crawford has publicly listed Agit Kabayel among the opponents he would like to see for Oleksandr Usyk's farewell fight, Boxing News reports. Usyk is widely expected to retire after his next outing and has been linked with a potential showdown against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in New York in March. Crawford made his suggestion on X while sharing a wider wish-list of match-ups. The suggestion comes amid reports that Usyk relinquished his three world titles and intends to stage one final fight before retiring from the sport.
Crawford on X
Terence Crawford picks Agit Kabayel as the opponent he'd like to see for Usyk's final fight
Boxing News reports that Terence Crawford used X to publish a list of fights he would like to see and included Agit Kabayel as his preferred opponent for Oleksandr Usyk's final outing. The Omaha southpaw's selection adds a high-profile name to the speculation around Usyk's farewell plans. The material supplied does not indicate whether Crawford's suggestion has prompted any response from Usyk, Kabayel or their representatives, nor does it confirm any negotiations or official proposals.
Farewell plans
Usyk expected to retire after next fight; Wilder widely reported as target for March in New York
According to Boxing News, Oleksandr Usyk is set to retire after his next fight and has relinquished his three world titles with plans to stage one final show. It is understood that former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder is being targeted as an opponent for that 'farewell' bout, with reports placing a potential date in March and the proposed location in New York City. The supplied material describes Wilder as the likely opponent for Usyk's final fight but does not confirm any completed agreements, contracts or official announcements.
Kabayel's status
Agit Kabayel now WBC world champion and awaiting first defence
Boxing News notes that Agit Kabayel was elevated to WBC heavyweight world champion in June and has not fought since that upgrade. The publication reports an announcement for Kabayel's first title defence is expected in the coming days and that the defence is set to take place in Germany. The material supplied also states that Nelson Hysa had been proposed as an opponent but pulled out, leaving Kabayel's first defence opponent yet to be confirmed publicly in the supplied reporting.
Why Usyk may walk away
Usyk 'pushed to the limit' in last fight against Rico Verhoeven, source says
Boxing News reports that Oleksandr Usyk was pushed to the limit by Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in his most recent outing earlier this year — despite that being Verhoeven's second professional boxing match. That performance is said to have convinced the 39-year-old three-time undisputed champion that now may be the time to protect his undefeated record and step away from the sport. The supplied material frames Usyk's decision as a response to that testing outing but does not provide any direct quotes from Usyk or his team within the report.
