Agit Kabayel has successfully defended his WBC interim heavyweight title by defeating Damian Knyba in the third round, and now he is setting his sights on a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
This fight marked Kabayel's return to the ring for the first time since his impressive victory over Zhilei Zhang in February 2025, where he defended his title on home turf in Germany. Although Knyba started strong in the opening round, Kabayel quickly began to dominate the match in Oberhausen. The referee ultimately called a halt to the contest after Kabayel unleashed a series of powerful right-hand punches in the dying moments of the third round.
Following his victory, Kabayel engaged with the crowd during his post-fight interview, asking them who they would like to see him face next. The resounding response was chants of "Usyk" echoing throughout the Rudolf Weber-Arena, clearly indicating that fans are eager for this anticipated matchup.
After the bout, Kabayel spoke with DAZN, expressing his eagerness for another title shot: "I've waited so long for this title opportunity. Last time, I overcame three formidable opponents during the Riyadh Season. Now, I'm ready for a world title fight. Let's make it happen!"
In an earlier conversation with Sky Sports in November, Kabayel boldly claimed that he is the ideal contender for Usyk, the unified world heavyweight champion. While he acknowledged that he doesn't expect Usyk to face him next, he highlighted the significant boxing market in Germany, asserting, "When I fight a big name, it deserves to be in a stadium. I believe once Usyk's team recognizes this potential, he might say, 'Let's go Kabayel, I will fight you.'"
As the boxing landscape continues to unfold into 2026, Kabayel's aspirations for a championship bout with Usyk certainly promise to keep fans and analysts buzzing with excitement. Will this anticipated fight come to fruition? What do you think of Kabayel's chances against Usyk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
