Heavyweight contender Dave Allen has identified Agit Kabayel as the only fighter in the world capable of navigating the technical puzzle posed by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Speaking on his social media channels on June 24, 2026, Dave Allen argued that the German heavyweight possesses the specific stylistic attributes required to beat Oleksandr Usyk, citing the challenger’s effectiveness in the “mid-range.”
Agit Kabayel currently holds the WBC interim heavyweight title and has built a formidable reputation following a string of high-profile victories. According to Dave Allen, who has sparred with Oleksandr Usyk, the champion’s historical dominance could be threatened by Agit Kabayel’s unique ability to stay compact and apply relentless body pressure. While Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly set to return against Deontay Wilder later this year, the shadow of a mandatory defense against Agit Kabayel remains a significant hurdle for the division’s king.
Why Agit Kabayel is stylistically wrong for Oleksandr Usyk
Dave Allen’s assessment is rooted in the technical nuances of the heavyweight division. He believes that while Oleksandr Usyk is an all-time great, he is not “exceptionally great” on the inside or in the mid-range. Dave Allen stated that Agit Kabayel is the only man tall enough and skilled enough to get into the specific range required to disrupt the champion’s rhythm.
“I have always thought that Kabayel was the man to beat Usyk,” Dave Allen explained. He noted that the German can “do a bit of everything,” specifically highlighting his ability to keep a compact guard while putting on pressure. This approach contrasts with the styles of previous opponents like Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois, whom Dave Allen previously noted relied too much on pure physical presence.
The effectiveness of body punching in the mid-range
A key component of Agit Kabayel’s success has been his systematic body punching. Dave Allen insists that this is the primary tool needed to slow down a mobile southpaw like Oleksandr Usyk. By targeting the midsection, a challenger can theoretically drain the gas tank of the 39-year-old champion and take away the legendary footwork that has seen him conquer two divisions.
Agit Kabayel demonstrated this clinical approach during his impressive run of form in the Riyadh Season events. He secured massive wins by stopping Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, and most recently, Zhilei Zhang in February 2025. These victories proved that he can handle the power of the division’s biggest hitters while maintaining his own high output.
Oleksandr Usyk and the weight of undisputed status
Oleksandr Usyk has achieved what was once thought impossible, becoming the first boxer to claim undisputed champion status three times. His journey included a definitive victory over Daniel Dubois, whom he knocked out in the fifth round of their rematch at Wembley Stadium in July 2025. This followed his initial undisputed win at heavyweight in 2024, cementing his legacy alongside his 2018 cruiserweight sweep.
However, the physical toll of these high-stakes battles is a factor Dave Allen has considered for years. Back in 2021, while discussing clashes with Anthony Joshua, Dave Allen noted that Oleksandr Usyk was already 36 and relying on reflexes that would eventually diminish. As of June 2026, the question is no longer if the champion is a genius, but how long that genius can withstand the hunger of younger challengers like Agit Kabayel.
Lessons from the 2020 sparring sessions
Dave Allen’s perspective is backed by intimate knowledge of Oleksandr Usyk’s training camp. During their 2020 sparring sessions ahead of the Derek Chisora fight, Dave Allen was “chinned” by the Ukrainian and famously lost 18lbs in just 12 days. He witnessed the champion’s unorthodox methods, which included juggling and solving mathematical equations while hitting the bag to improve cognitive processing under fire.
Despite this firsthand respect for Oleksandr Usyk’s “exceptional” angles and speed, Dave Allen remains firm that Agit Kabayel is “fresh enough” to ignore the psychological warfare. He believes the German is “all wrong” for the champion because he doesn’t just want to land one big punch; he wants to out-work him in the areas where Oleksandr Usyk is least comfortable.
The heavyweight championship outlook for late 2026
The immediate future of the heavyweight titles appears to be moving toward a showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder. This rumored bout would likely take precedence over mandatory obligations, meaning Agit Kabayel must wait for his opportunity. Promoter Frank Warren had previously suggested a September date for Agit Kabayel’s shot at world honors, but this timeline remains fluid.
If the Agit Kabayel fight does materialize next, it will be against a champion who has very little left to prove. Oleksandr Usyk has already seen off challenges from the likes of Mairis Briedis, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury. Yet, Dave Allen’s unwavering belief suggests that the most dangerous threat is the one the wider public might be overlooking.
Where other heavyweight rivals fall short
Dave Allen hasn’t been as optimistic about other contenders. In October 2025, he expressed skepticism regarding Fabio Wardley’s chances, despite Wardley’s impressive 11th-round victory over Joseph Parker. While he called Fabio Wardley “exceptionally dangerous,” Dave Allen couldn’t see him getting anywhere near the master technician.
Similarly, he previously analyzed the frailties of Daniel Dubois, noting that while Dubois had ten times the physical presence of Oleksandr Usyk, his technical gaps were too wide to bridge. For Dave Allen, Agit Kabayel remains the outlier — a fighter who combines the necessary durability with the specific tactical intelligence required to finally end the Ukrainian’s unbeaten run. com/jarrell-miller-backs-filip-to-defeat-moses-itauma-at-o2-aren/”>heavyweight prospects and veterans alike can find a way to replicate the blueprint Allen has laid out.
