This time last week, before the world heavyweight champion fought a kickboxer in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, it's doubtful anyone would have picked Agit Kabayel to beat Oleksandr Usyk. Seven days later, the perception that Kabayel can't beat Usyk has changed.

The reason for the swing should be obvious. Usyk struggled against Rico Verhoeven to such a degree that Usyk, this time last week regarded as the best fighter in the entire sport, is now presumed to be on borrowed time at the top of the heavyweight division.

Everyone is now forgetting that, before Verhoeven, each of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois were beaten twice. But the Usyk who beat that fearsome trio looked markedly superior to the Usyk who eventually overcame Verhoeven in the 11th round.

Kabayel, by virtue of the WBC interim belt he holds, should be Usyk's next opponent. The Ukrainian, 25-0 (16 KOs), wears the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles and the WBC, who sanctioned Usyk's victory over Verhoeven, will order that Kabayel comes next. So, Usyk must relinquish the title or face the unbeaten German if he wants to keep hold of the green and gold belt.

Kabayel is expecting Usyk to go another way, however. 

"My opinion is that Usyk will not want to make the fight for me," Kabayel told TalkSPORT. "I want to fight with Usyk."

Usyk's showing against Verhoeven aside, there is no suggestion from the champion that he will not grant Kabayel his wish. That was the plan, after all. Beat Verhoeven, stare at Kabayel in the ring in the aftermath, then agree to the fight. But Usyk's performance, after he came in at his heaviest ever weight, may not have been lost to the man himself. Usyk, 39, may now feel like his days of taking on fearsome heavyweights have come to an end. Whether he walks into retirement or grants Verhoeven a return, there are certainly easier routes for Usyk to take than those involving Agit Kabayel.

"So many people in Germany are waiting for this fight," Kabayel urged. "This is the biggest fight we can make right now for boxing. We can sell out a stadium."

Should it happen, Kabayel - a relentless pressure fighter with serious power - is certain he would win.

"I think I will pressure him and Usyk hates it to the body. When Usyk was hit to the body by Rico, he hated it.

"So, I will have a gameplan. I think the people will now give me the respect and I know I can beat Usyk."