Kabayel vs Hysa Is Official

The reversal is now official: Agit Kabayel will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Nelson Hysa on November 28. Promoter Queensberry, DAZN and Düsseldorf's Merkur Spiel-Arena have confirmed the bout. It will be Kabayel's first defence since he was recognised as the full WBC champion in June.

The fight will take place in Düsseldorf's stadium rather than Oberhausen, which had been discussed as the venue. DAZN will carry the show as a pay-per-view.

From apparent collapse to official booking

In September, promoter Frank Warren said Hysa had declined the proposed fight after negotiations were well advanced. CS.C reported at the time, on the basis of that account, that Kabayel was looking for another opponent. Hysa later released a video showing a signed contract and called on Kabayel to sign it, as ntv reported. The precise points of disagreement are not publicly settled. Both camps have now confirmed the fight.

After the apparent breakdown, Warren had raised the prospect of a different challenger from the WBC top ten. Hysa has instead secured the title shot. The pair's public exchanges add an edge to the contest: Hysa called Kabayel out at ringside after stopping Thomas Narmo in late August.

Two unbeaten heavyweights

Kabayel is 27-0; Hysa is 25-0, with 23 stoppage wins. Those records alone do not show the level of opposition behind them: Kabayel has already beaten more established heavyweights in Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov. Hysa now has the opportunity to test his power at that level.

For Kabayel, this is the first defence with the full WBC belt. He has spoken of pursuing a unification fight; Hysa comes first on November 28.