German heavyweight boxer Agit Kabayel defeated Poland's Damian Knyba by technical knockout in the third round in Oberhausen, defending his WBC interim world title. In front of 13,000 enthusiastic fans in the sold-out Rudolf-Weber Arena, the 33-year-old celebrated his 27th professional win. Kabayel is now closer to his dream of becoming the second German heavyweight world champion after Max Schmeling.
In his first fight in Germany in nearly three years, Agit Kabayel stepped into the Rudolf-Weber Arena in Oberhausen. The Bochum native, undefeated for almost three years, defeated the roughly ten centimeters taller Polish fighter Damian Knyba by technical knockout in the third round. Kabayel suffered a cut over his right eye in the first round as Knyba exploited his greater reach and rarely allowed the German into close range. However, Kabayel adapted and unleashed a barrage of punches in the third round, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
After the victory, Kabayel rallied the 13,000 fans: «I believe we're now ready to fight for the world title - what do you say?!» The crowd cheered loudly. «It's all about the big crown for me,» said the 33-year-old. In a DAZN interview, he added: «I'm so happy about this. We've made a statement, we've shown the world that German boxing is alive.» The atmosphere thrilled former world champion Regina Halmich: «I really got goosebumps; it reminds me of the good old boxing days. Boxing in Germany is alive again - and it feels so good.»
Kabayel has positioned himself at the top through three knockout wins in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He dreams of becoming the second German heavyweight world champion after Max Schmeling over 95 years ago. The arena sold out in five days, evoking memories of the Klitschko-Fury event over ten years ago with 50,000 spectators. This win made Kabayel the WBC's official mandatory challenger. Boxing observers hope for a showdown with Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk by year's end, though Usyk may first face Deontay Wilder.
