AgitKabayel
WBC Interim World Champion
Agit Kabayel has quietly manoeuvred himself into position as one of the most feared heavyweights on the global circuit.
The 32-year-old from Germany was an unbeaten and established European champion who few had any inclination to fight before the intervention of Riyadh Season and the career-enhancing opportunities it has delivered for fighters.
Kabayel is now a Queensberry fighter, which is a natural fit as the Home of the Heavyweights.
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WINS
26
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LOSES
0
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DRAW
0
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kOs
18
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WEIGHT
238 lbs
(108 Kg) -
HEIGHT
6’3”
(191 cm) -
REACH
80”
(203 cm)
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Trainer
Ulli Wegner
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Born
23 September 1992
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Born in
Leverkusen, Germany
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nation
German
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residence
Bochum, Germany
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KO Percentage
69.23%
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Stance
Orthodox
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Rounds
131
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Debut
23 June 2011
Records and Accolades
Kabayel propelled himself right onto the world stage with a huge breakthrough performance in Riyadh by defeating the previously undefeated Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov on December 2023’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ spectacular.
Makhmudov was viewed as a potential future force of the heavyweight division - with 17 KOs from his 18 wins. Given his huge and imposing frame, it was only thought to be a matter of time before he was being considered as ready to enter into the elite bracket ready to take on the likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua.
However, the giant was slayed by the skill and craft of the German, who completely outfoxed the Montreal-based Makhmudov and put him to the canvas on three occasions on his way to a fourth round stoppage.
The victory set Kabayel on the road to heavyweight stardom but first he had to also overcome a fellow undefeated heavyweight in the Cuban, Frank Sanchez, in a match that most considered too close to call.
Once again, in May of last year, Kabayel confounded any remaining sceptics with a magnificent display of ring generalship that the rated Sanchez simply couldn’t get to grips with. Kabayel was first to everything and Sanchez slowly lost heart and was put to the canvas twice in the seventh round before the fight was put beyond him.
The reward for Kabayel was another giant in Zhilei Zhang, this time with the significant bounty of the WBC Interim world heavyweight championship being on the line.
Achievements
Kabayel has been a long-standing holder of the EBU European heavyweight championship. He first took possession of the belt in 2016 when he triumphed over the undefeated Christian Lewandowski. He went on to make four successful defences against opponents including Derek Chisora and Andrii Rudenko, before winning back the relinquished title with victory over Agron Smakici in March of 2024.
Major Achievements and Titles
Kabayel is now the WBC Interim world heavyweight champion following his emphatic triumph over Big Bang Zhang in Riyadh back in February.
The smaller man dominated the more physically imposing Zhang with a textbook display and, despite getting caught himself and being put down in the fifth, Zhang simply couldn’t cope with the body shots inflicted on him and was felled himself and defeated in the sixth.
Fighting Style and technique
Kabayel is a master craftsman of the heavyweight division. He does not have the physical attributes of the heavyweight giants, but he knows how to slay them by expertly executing gameplans and exploiting weaknesses in his opponents.
Even though he is not noted as a devastating, concussive puncher, Kabayel still has 18 stoppages from his 26 fights, but his strength is his relentless approach that wears opponents into submission.
Impact and Popularity
Boxing in Germany has dropped off the mainstream since the Klitschkos made it their home and the sport was booming. Stadiums were filled and television contracts were bumper, but now boxing has endured a fallow period in the country.
Kabayel could be the man to restore its popularity. The man from Bochum is the sort of high-achieving sports star the German public respect and the fact that he operates in boxing’s signature division makes a stronger case for him become a major star.
Kabayel is charming, polite and personable, the sort of sports star who will accumulate fans right across the globe.
Future Prospects and Upcoming Fights
The possibilities are multiple. As WBC Interim champion, Kabayel is positioned as a guaranteed contender for a tilt at the full world title currently under the ownership of Oleksandr Usyk.
However, due to the unified status of the champion, there is a queue involving the other governing bodies, so the chance of Kabayel is not immediate. So expect him to remain active and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.
The key is the outcome of the forthcoming undisputed battle between Usyk and Daniel Dubois, the IBF champion, after which mandatories will come into play and the title picture could splinter.
Fighting History
Win
6 round ko
Zhilei Zhang
ANB, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WBC Interim World Heavyweight Championship
22 Feb 2025
win
7 round ko
Frank Sanchez
Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WBC Continental Americas & WBO NABO Heavyweight Championship
18 May 2024
win
4 round tko
Arslanbek Makhmudov
Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
North American Heavyweight Championship
23 Dec 2023
win
3 round tko
Agron Smakici
Ruhr Congress, Bochum, Germany
Vacant EBU European Heavyweight Championship
4 Mar 2023
win
1 round tko
Pavel Sour
Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
14 May 2022
win
12 round ud
Kevin Johnson
Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
5 Jun 2021
win
10 round ud
Evgenios Lazaridis
Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
18 Jul 2020
win
12 round ud
Andrii Rudenko
Maritim Hotel, Magdeburg, Germany
EBU European Heavyweight Championship
2 Mar 2019
win
3 round tko
Miljan Rovcanin
Estrel Convention Center, Neukoelln, Germany
EBU European Heavyweight Championship
21 Apr 2018
win
12 round md
Derek Chisora
Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin, Monte Carlo
EBU European Heavyweight Championship
4 Nov 2017
win
12 round ud
Herve Hubeaux
Maritim Hotel, Magdeburg, Germany
EBU European Heavyweight Championship
4 FEb 2017
win
7 round ko
Christian Lewandowski
Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
Vacant EBU European Heavyweight Championship
4 Jun 2016
win
3 round tko
Lawrence Tauasa
Maritim Hotel, Tiergarten, Germany
9 Jan 2016
win
1 round ko
Shalva Jomardashvili
Saarlandhalle, Saarbruecken, Germany
5 Dec 2015
win
2 round tko
Maksym Pedyura
DM-Arena, Karlsruhe, Germany
17 Oct 2015
win
3 round tko
Artsiom Charniakevich
Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany
14 Dec 2014
win
3 round tko
Gbenga Oluokun
Atatürk Spor Salonu, Tekirdag, Turkey
Vacant WBC Mediterranean Heavyweight Championship
22 Mar 2014
win
1 round ko
Wladimir Letr
Okraglak Halle, Opole, Poland
1 Feb 2014
win
2 round tko
Pavel Siska
Reeperbahn Docks, St. Pauli, Germany
15 Dec 2013
win
1 round tko
Alexander Kahl
Atatürk Spor Salonu, Tekirdag, turkey
27 Sep 2013
win
2 round tko
Engin Solmaz
Kugelbake-Halle, Cuxhaven, Germany
27 Jul 2013
win
2 round tko
Ivan Cirkovic
Hala Spens, Novi Sad, Serbia
6 Apr 2013
win
4 round pts
Waldemar Pahl
Kolpinghaus, Beckum, Germany
2 Jun 2012
win
3 round tko
Waldemar Pahl
Maritim Hotel, Cologne, Germany
30 Mar 2012
win
4 round pts
Selcuk Dinc
Tai-Kien Gym, Aachen, Germany
23 jul 2011
win
4 round tko
Yeton Abdullah
Butan Gym, Wuppertal, Germany
23 jun 2011
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