Anthony Joshua eyes interim title shot against Zhang or Kabayel

In the heavyweight boxing landscape, significant movements are occurring as Anthony Joshua, a former two-time champion, seeks another opportunity to regain a world title. Having recently faced a setback against Daniel Dubois in September, where Joshua lost by knockout at Wembley Stadium, his future appeared uncertain. However, amidst ongoing discussions regarding other heavyweight matchups, an alternative path has emerged for Joshua. The WBC has sanctioned an interim title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel, with the winner of this bout becoming a potential challenger for Joshua. The interim champion status is crucial as it can set up future championship opportunities for Joshua, who is currently ranked sixth by the WBC. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that the organization received a formal request to sanction this fight, emphasizing the need for high-level events while the unified champion title competition continues between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. This situation presents a unique opportunity for Joshua, unlinked to immediate rematches with Dubois or the upcoming clash between Fury and Usyk, thus providing clarity and direction regarding his career moving forward. With upcoming fights on the horizon, the heavyweight division continues to evolve, and Joshua is poised to capitalize on any chance to regain championship status through this newly sanctioned interim fight.