Deontay Wilder is long past his prime and is not currently part of Agit Kabayel’s immediate plans, according to veteran boxing figure Bernd Boente. In an exclusive interview with World Boxing News, Boente revealed that the newly elevated WBC heavyweight champion is firmly targeting high-profile unification fights in the near future, sidelining the American former titleholder for now.
While Wilder remains a theoretically possible opponent for Kabayel due to his standing within the organization, Boente believes that the former long-reigning champion’s best days inside the ring are firmly behind him, notwithstanding his enduring marketability and famous knockout power. However, the American’s position in the WBC rankings could eventually force the issue for the German champion, particularly if his proposed showdown with unified ruler Oleksandr Usyk fails to materialize.
Boente brings considerable heavyweight experience and deep industry insight to his assessment, having successfully managed both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko during their dominant world championship eras. Today, he works as a respected pundit for DAZN DACH, closely covering major heavyweight matchups, including upcoming fixtures such as Daniel Dubois versus Fabio Wardley II and Agit Kabayel versus Nelson Hysa.
World Boxing News previously reported that Wilder had moved back into strong contention for another shot at the green and gold belt, which could potentially grant the "Bronze Bomber" a route back to the championship platform he commanded for five years. With heavyweight star Tyson Fury heavily committed to high-stakes bouts against Anthony Joshua, and Frank Sanchez actively pursuing the IBF championship path, Wilder could emerge as the leading available contender once the WBC rankings are fully settled and mandatory obligations are called.
Boente on Wilder’s Decline
When asked directly whether Wilder remains a realistic and immediate target for Kabayel, Boente made it clear that Queensberry Promotions and the champion’s inner circle harbor much larger, more globally significant ambitions for the division.
“Queensberry and Agit’s team are determined to stage unification bouts—and further events in a stadium—next year,” Boente exclusively told WBN. “Deontay would only be an option if that plan falls through. His name still carries significant weight, and as a former champion, he remains highly marketable—even though, as evidenced by his clear defeats against Zhang and Parker or in his last fight against Chisora, he is long past his prime.”
Wilder’s proposed fight with Usyk remains unresolved and shrouded in uncertainty, but a number-one position with the WBC could become increasingly important should that high-profile contest fall completely by the wayside. Boxing politics rarely offer straightforward paths, and a high ranking does not automatically guarantee an immediate, unyielding mandatory challenge. However, Kabayel could eventually find himself formally ordered to face Wilder if the American remains the highest-ranked available contender under sanctioning body guidelines.
Such a scenario would leave the undefeated German champion with a critical strategic decision to make regarding his carefully laid plans for major stadium unification fights.
Germany’s Heavyweight Revival
Kabayel etched his name into boxing history by becoming Germany’s first recognized heavyweight world champion since the legendary Max Schmeling accomplished the feat back in 1932. His elevation to full WBC champion status followed Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the belt, opening the door for a new era in European boxing.
Boente is heavily invested in seeing Kabayel build significantly upon that historic achievement, hoping to restore Germany’s traditional position as a major, vibrant destination for elite-level heavyweight boxing.
“I hope that Agit and Queensberry continue to stage many major fight nights in Germany and revive the sleeping giant that has been dormant since the Klitschko era: ‘big-time boxing in Germany,’” Boente stated. “Agit is the first German World Heavyweight Champion since the legendary Max Schmeling, and Agit has great potential both inside and outside the ring.”
Boente also firmly believes that Kabayel belongs comfortably among the absolute elite of the heavyweight division, sitting just behind the consensus pound-for-pound giant Oleksandr Usyk, alongside top-tier contenders like Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic.
“To me, behind the giant of our time, Oleksandr Usyk, the likes of Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois, and Filip Hrgovic represent the absolute pinnacle of the heavyweight division. All three have very different fighting styles,” Boente noted. “I hope they face each other in unification bouts next year so that we can celebrate another undisputed champion following Oleksandr Usyk. And of course, I would like it to be Agit Kabayel.”
Before any grand unification tournaments or stadium spectacles can materialize, Kabayel must first successfully navigate his upcoming test against Nelson Hysa. Even so, Boente’s message remains unequivocal: hosting major domestic stadium events and pursuing full championship unifications are the absolute priorities for the German star. Wilder may not currently feature prominently in those immediate plans, but the unpredictable nature of the WBC rankings means the path could ultimately leave Kabayel with little choice but to consider the American veteran down the road.
