A new challenger has emerged in the heavyweight boxing scene, as Agit Kabayel sets his sights on Oleksandr Usyk following a recent knockout victory. Kabayel’s call-out comes after he successfully defended his interim WBC heavyweight title against Damian Knyba in Germany. Usyk’s manager has hinted at a possible fight with Deontay Wilder in April or May, but Kabayel aims to disrupt those plans with his impressive performance.
In a night filled with contentious stoppages, Kabayel faced Knyba, who started strong by inflicting a cut above the champion’s right eye. However, the tide quickly turned in Kabayel’s favor. He landed several powerful punches in the third round, prompting the referee to halt the contest. The decision has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some celebrating Kabayel’s victory while others felt the stoppage was premature. This latest win marks Kabayel’s sixth consecutive knockout, enhancing his reputation in the heavyweight division.
Kabayel did not hold back during his post-fight interview, expressing his desire for a unification bout with Usyk. “I waited so long for this title opportunity,” he stated. “I beat three monsters in the Riyadh Season. Give me the world title fight. I’m ready.” His confidence is backed by a record that includes notable victories over fighters like Zhilei Zhang and Frank Sanchez.
The relationship between Kabayel and Usyk is particularly interesting, as it was Usyk who presented Kabayel with the interim WBC heavyweight title after his victory over Zhang. Reflecting on that moment, Kabayel remarked, “This is nice but I want your belt.” He believes that Usyk may not have anticipated their potential matchup, suggesting that the Ukrainian boxer might have overlooked the rising talent in the German boxing market.
As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, the prospect of a clash between Kabayel and Usyk adds an exciting dimension to the upcoming fights. While Usyk has his sights set on a potential encounter with Wilder, Kabayel’s impressive performances could force a reconsideration of his upcoming opponents. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how this narrative unfolds in the coming months.
