Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua may soon find himself back in title contention. The WBC has sanctioned a bout between Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel for the interim title, with the winner expected to face Joshua, offering him a new pathway to reclaim heavyweight glory without immediate rematches against Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, or Daniel Dubois.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the decision, stating:
“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction this fight for the interim title, and we will accept it. We remain committed to supporting top-tier matchups, particularly in the heavyweight division.”

Joshua, 35, suffered a knockout loss to Dubois at Wembley in September and was previously linked to a rematch. However, Dubois is now set to defend his IBF title against Joseph Parker in February, leaving Joshua to focus on this new opportunity.

The WBC’s move aligns with the anticipation of a unification clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, following Usyk’s unanimous victory over Fury in May. Usyk later vacated the IBF belt, leading to Dubois being elevated to full champion.

“For the winner on December 21, there are numerous exciting possibilities,” added Sulaiman. “Whether it’s a trilogy, an undisputed rematch, or another marquee fight, we aim to ensure the division remains active with sensational bouts.”

This development paves a potential fast-track return to world honours for Joshua, with Kabayel (ranked No. 2) and Zhang (ranked No. 4) battling for the interim title. Both fighters flank Martin Bakole, a formidable contender, in the WBC rankings.