After his quick knockout victory, Agit Kabayel heated up the 13,000 fans in the sold-out arena again. “I think we are now ready to box for the world championship – or what do you say?!” the heavyweight boxer shouted into the microphone. The audience responded with loud cheers and applause.
In his first fight in almost three years in Germany, the undefeated professional boxer took another step towards a world championship fight. “It’s about the big crown for me,” said the Bochum native, who defeated Poland’s Damian Knyba by technical knockout in the third round in front of his home crowd in Oberhausen. The 33-year-old also successfully defended his interim World Championship belt from the WBC Association in front of enthusiastic spectators and celebrated his 27th professional victory.
“German boxing is alive”
“I’m so happy about it. We made a statement, we showed the world that German boxing is alive,” said Kabayel in the first interview after the victory on DAZN. The atmosphere in the full hall also impressed former world champion Regina Halmich. “I really have goosebumps, it reminds me of the good old boxing days. Boxing in Germany is alive again – and that feels so good,” said the DAZN expert.
Against the Pole, who was about ten centimeters taller, Kabayel suffered a cut above his right eye in the first round. “I didn’t listen to the coach in the first round,” admitted Kabayel. Knyba cleverly exploited his greater reach and rarely let the German get into the internal fight. But Kabayel adapted better. In the third round he delivered a barrage of punches to his opponent until the referee stopped the fight.
Kabayel’s goal: Second German heavyweight world champion
In the recent past, Kabayel had positioned himself among the world’s best thanks to his three knockout successes in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh against strong opponents. The professional boxer dreams of becoming the second German heavyweight to win the world title after Max Schmeling more than 95 years ago.
The backdrop in Oberhausen was impressive. The last time more spectators attended a boxing match was Wladimir Klitschko’s defeat against Tyson Fury. More than ten years ago, around 50,000 people came to Düsseldorf. “That fills you with pride,” Kabayel told the German Press Agency after the arena was sold out within five days.
Now against Usyk?
Boxing observers are hoping for a duel between Ukrainian three-division champion Oleksandr Usyk and Kabayel at the end of the year. However, the Ukrainian was given the opportunity by the WBC to carry out a voluntary title defense – and will probably compete against the American Deontay Wilder in the spring.
