WBC interim heavyweight title to be on the line when Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayal collide

The heavyweight 12-rounder between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel, slated for the huge February 22 card in Saudi Arabia, will be for the WBC interim strap.

Though plenty would argue that an interim champion is not necessary because the WBC heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, remains active and will defend the belt against Tyson Fury in their December 21 rematch, the head of the sanctioning body, Mauricio Sulaiman, told Sky Sports that the matchup will “keep them active and keep the division having the best fights possible.”

He explained further: “The WBC has received a formal request to sanction such fight for the interim title and the WBC will accept to sanction it,” Sulaiman said.

“Why? Because we have done everything possible for the past several years to reach the ultimate, great fights in each weight category, especially in the heavyweights.

“All this time we have been perfectly clear and transparent that the WBC will not impose any mandatory that goes against having the ultimate undisputed champion because they’re fighting the best available.

“There’s no better fight than Usyk-Fury. So with that fighting happening, and then possibilities for the future, we have accepted the No. 2 and the No. 3 to fight for the interim title.”

The 32-year-old Kabayel, 25-0 (17 KOs), has seen his stock rise in the last 12 months with upset victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez whereas Zhang, 41, returned to form in June when he knocked out Deontay Wilder six months after being outpointed by Joseph Parker.

All four bouts took place in Saudi Arabia.