Anthony Joshua Eyes WBC Interim Title Opportunity
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua may soon have a chance to fight for the WBC interim title. This development follows the WBC’s approval of a bout between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel for the interim belt, as confirmed by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.
“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction this fight for the interim title, and we will accept it,” Sulaiman stated. He emphasized the WBC’s commitment to securing top-tier matchups, particularly in the heavyweight division.
The winner of the Zhang-Kabayel fight could face Joshua, offering the British-Nigerian a new path back to heavyweight prominence. This route bypasses immediate rematches against top contenders like Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, or Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua, 35, is seeking redemption after a knockout loss to Dubois in September at Wembley. While speculation about a rematch lingered, Dubois is now focused on defending his IBF title against Joseph Parker in February.
This WBC decision aligns with the broader heavyweight landscape, as Fury and Usyk prepare for a historic unification bout on December 21. Usyk’s previous victory over Fury in May, coupled with his vacating of the IBF belt, elevated Dubois to full champion status.
For Joshua, a potential showdown with Zhang or Kabayel presents a fast-tracked route to reclaiming world honors, revitalizing his career in the highly competitive heavyweight division.
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