The 33-year-old should be all guns blazing towards a big summer bout, but instead after headlining Oberhausen's Rudolf Weber-Arena in January, momentum has again stalled for The Ring's No. 2-rated heavyweight. Despite a stuttering opening round, he got the job done to scyth down Poland's Damian Knyba in three on January 10.

He made sure to call out Ring and unified king Oleksandr Usyk as well as WBO beltholder Fabio Wardley post-fight, the division's two full titleholders at a time where elite heavyweights are few and far between as the generational shift from yesteryear to the new, unproven youngsters continues to take centre stage.

Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) is the sport's hottest prospect and marked his return last month with a fearsome fifth-round finish of longtime contender Jermaine Franklin in the 21-year-old's toughest test to date.

Filip Hrgovic isn't yet convinced by his minerals, though the bullish Croatian features among several moving pieces taking shape over the next six weeks. Kabayel has already rejected the prospect of facing WBC's No. 1-rated contender Lawrence Okolie, who faces Tony Yoka atop Queensberry's April 25 show in Paris, France.

Later that same night, Jarrell Miller (27-1-2, 22 KOs) looks to end Lenier Pero's perfect 13-0 run in their WBA title eliminator. On May 9, Wardley makes the first defense of his WBO crown against former IBF titlist Dubois, whose first career reset began with a character-building tenth-round stoppage of Miller in December 2023. He looks to rebound after yet another stoppage defeat by Usyk in a fight many hope the new champion wins, and does well.

Kabayel was close, on more than one occasion, to snaring Dubois himself, though was also said to be boxing a British opponent in another Germany homecoming next month. As time has passed, it's proven not the case.

"We talked with Frank Warren and Spencer Brown, the plan is now to wait for Usyk-Verhoeven. I'm just waiting for the situation to sort itself out, Usyk will fight me or vacate the title, that [waiting] is the best option for me and then the results will show themselves," Kabayel told The Ring when asked about a return timeline.

"We have a small plan, back out in September or October with an organization in Germany," he continued, having traveled to London in support of his 'big brother' Tyson Fury, who doubled down on a desire to only fight Anthony Joshua or Usyk next after cruising to a 12-round decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov last weekend.

"Experiences like this push me even more to bring major fight nights back to Germany," was part of a post Kabayel shared on Instagram, as he wonders aloud when he'll finally get an opportunity for his crowning moment.