Agit Kabayel

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Agit Kabayel
Kabayel in 2025.png
Kabayel in 2025
Personal information
Born (1992-09-23) 23 September 1992 (age 33)
Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight Heavyweight
Boxing career
Reach203 cm (80 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins27
Win by KO19

Agit Kabayel (born 23 September 1992) is a German professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) interim heavyweight title since 2025. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the European title twice between 2017 and 2024.

Contents

As of January 2026, Kabayel is ranked as the world's second-best active heavyweight by The Ring and BoxRec . [1] [2]

Professional career

Early career

Kabayel compiled a perfect record of 15–0 before winning the vacant European heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory against Herve Hubeaux on 24 February 2017 in Cologne, Germany. [3]

Kabayel vs. Chisora

In his next fight, Kabayel defended his European title against former WBC world title challenger Derek Chisora at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Médecin in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 4 November 2017. Chisora was ranked #8 by the WBC at the time. [4] In a largely low-key affair, Kabayel outboxed his opponent to a majority decision victory. The judges' scorecards read 115–113, 115–114, 114–114 in Kabayel's favour, handing Chisora his eighth professional loss. Chisora started the fight slow, remaining patient. He became more active after round six but failed to bustle the attack on Kabayel, who moved well with his feet. Kabayel also used quick combinations and jabs to win many of the rounds. [5] [6]

On 2 March 2019, Kabayel beat Andriy Rudenko by unanimous decision in a 12 round contest, almost a year after his previous bout. [7] Over the next four years, Kabayel fought at this rate, with his next four bouts occurring yearly between 2020 and 2023. He eventually vacated his European title on 3 September 2019, after signing up with Top Rank. [8]

Rise up the ranks

On 18 July 2020, Kabayel beat Evgenios Lazaridis by unanimous decision in their ten-round contest to win the vacant WBA Continental heavyweight title. The scorecards read 98–92, 100–90, 99–91 in favour of Kabayel. [9]

On November 2020, it was revealed that Kabayel was in talks to challenge the then-undefeated WBC and The Ring heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on 5 December 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and that he had been sent a contract by Fury's promoter Frank Warren. [10] [11] However, the fight was ultimately cancelled due to complications with Fury's contractual disputes with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder regarding a potential trilogy fight between them. [12]

On 5 June 2021, Kabayel returned to the ring to face former world title challenger Kevin Johnson. He retained his WBA Continental title and undefeated record with a wide unanimous decision, with scores of 118–111, 118–111, and 119–110 in his favour. [13] Kabayel next faced Pavel Sour on 14 May 2022. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout. [14] After almost a year of inactivity, Kabayel returned on March 3 2023 against Agron Smakici, recovering from a second-round knockdown to stop Smakici in the third, recapturing the vacant European heavyweight title in the process. [15]

Kabayel vs. Makhmudov

On 23 December 2023, Kabayel challenged undefeated prospect Arslanbek Makhmudov for his WBC-NABF and WBA Inter-Continental titles at the Day of Reckoning event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This was also the first time he had fought twice in one year since 2017. Entering the bout as the underdog, Kabayel produced a surprise upset, defeating Makhmudov by TKO in the fourth round to take his titles. He outmanoeuvred his larger opponent throughout the first three rounds, countering him hard to the head, before increasing the pressure in the fourth and going down to the body; it was then that he dropped Makhmudov three times before the referee waved off the fight. With this win, Kabayel improved to 24–0 with 16 knockouts. [16]

Kabayel vs. Sánchez

On 18 May 2024, Agit Kabayel challenged undefeated Cuban contender Frank Sánchez for the WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles at the Ring of Fire event in Riyadh's Kingdom Arena. The bout served as a WBC eliminator, positioning the winner as a mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight world title. Entering as the underdog, Kabayel delivered a commanding performance, employing strategic body shots and combinations to dominate the fight. In the seventh round, he knocked Sánchez down twice, leading to a knockout victory and two further regional titles to Kabayel's name. [17]

WBC interim heavyweight champion

Kabayel vs. Zhang

On 22 February 2025, Agit Kabayel faced the former WBO interim heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang at The Last Crescendo event in the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the vacant WBC interim heavyweight title. Kabayel won by knockout in the sixth round, becoming the first person to stop the otherwise durable Zhang. After weathering Zhang's pressure in the first round, Kabayel maintained a relentless body attack over the remainder of the fight, gradually slowing Zhang down round by round; despite suffering a knockdown in the fifth, Kabayel recovered and continued to pressure Zhang to the body, who was ultimately counted out after a hard shot to the liver forced him to take a knee. This win improved Kabayel's record to 26–0 and earned him the interim title. [18]

Kabayel vs. Knyba

On 4 November 2025, it was announced that Kabayel would defend his interim title against the undefeated Damian Knyba (17–0, 11 KOs) in Oberhausen, Germany, scheduled for 10 January 2026. [19] Kabayel struggled in the first round against his 2.01m opponent, who used his significant height and reach advantage to land several hard shots to Kabayel's face, opening a cut over his right eye. Nevertheless, Kabayel retook control of the fight, negating Knyba's reach advantage with his own pressure and increasingly landing his own punches to the head. Kabayel ultimately won in the third round after the referee waved off the fight, though the stoppage was deemed premature by some, including Knyba, who appeared to still be fighting back and attempting to defend himself. [20] [21]

Personal life

Kabayel currently resides in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. [22] His parents are of Kurdish origin from Pazarcık, in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş. [23] His cousin is KC Rebell, a Kurdish-German rapper.

Professional boxing record

27 fights27 wins0 losses
By knockout190
By decision80
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
27Win27–0 Damian Knyba TKO3 (12), 2:3610 Jan 2026 Rudolf Weber-Arena, Oberhausen, GermanyRetained WBC interim heavyweight title
26Win26–0 Zhilei Zhang KO6 (12), 2:29 22 Feb 2025 ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaWon vacant WBC interim heavyweight title
25Win25–0 Frank Sánchez KO7 (12), 2:29 18 May 2024 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaWon WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles
24Win24–0 Arslanbek Makhmudov TKO4 (10), 2:03 23 Dec 2023 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaWon WBC-NABF and WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight titles
23Win23–0Agron SmakiciTKO3 (12), 2:374 Mar 2023RuhrCongress, Bochum, GermanyWon vacant European heavyweight title
22Win22–0Pavel SourTKO1 (8), 1:5014 May 2022Seebühne, Magdeburg, Germany
21Win21–0 Kevin Johnson UD125 Jun 2021Seebühne, Magdeburg, GermanyRetained WBA Continental heavyweight title
20Win20–0Evgenios LazaridisUD1018 Jul 2020Seebühne, Magdeburg, GermanyWon vacant WBA Continental heavyweight title
19Win19–0 Andriy Rudenko UD122 Mar 2019Maritim Hotel, Magdeburg, GermanyRetained European heavyweight title
18Win18–0 Miljan Rovcanin TKO3 (12), 2:2521 Apr 2018 Estrel Berlin Convention Hall II, Berlin, GermanyRetained European heavyweight title
17Win17–0 Derek Chisora MD12 4 Nov 2017 Casino de Salle Médecin, Monte Carlo, MonacoRetained European heavyweight title
16Win16–0Herve HubeauxUD1224 Feb 2017Maritim Hotel, Magdeburg, GermanyWon vacant European heavyweight title
15Win15–0Christian LewandowskiKO7 (12), 0:204 Jun 2016Seebühne, Magdeburg, GermanyWon vacant European Union heavyweight title
14Win14–0 Lawrence Tauasa TKO3 (8), 2:299 Jan 2016Maritim proArte Hotel, Berlin, Germany
13Win13–0Shalva JomardashviliKO1 (8), 1:275 Dec 2015 Saarlandhalle, Saarbrücken, Germany
12Win12–0Maksym PedyuraTKO2 (8)17 Oct 2015 Dm-Arena, Karlsruhe, Germany
11Win11–0Artsiom CharniakevichTKO3 (10)14 Dec 2014Maritim Hotel Köln, Cologne, Germany
10Win10–0 Gbenga Oloukun SD1022 Mar 2014Atatürk Spor Salonu, Tekirdağ, TurkeyWon vacant WBC Mediterranean heavyweight title
9Win9–0Wladimir LetrKO1 (6), 0:121 Feb 2014Hala Okrąglak, Opole, Poland
8Win8–0Pavel SiskaTKO2 (8), 2:0515 Dec 2013 Docks, Hamburg, Germany
7Win7–0Alexander KahlTKO1 (6), 1:2127 Sep 2013Atatürk Spor Salonu, Tekirdağ, Turkey
6Win6–0Engin SolmazTKO2 (6), 1:4227 Jul 2013Kugelbake-Halle, Cuxhaven, Germany
5Win5–0Ivan ĆirkovićTKO2 (6), 2:206 Apr 2013 SPC Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
4Win4–0Waldemar PahlPTS42 Jun 2012Kolpinghaus Beckum, Beckum, Germany
3Win3–0Waldemar PahlTKO3 (4), 1:5030 Mar 2012Maritim Hotel Köln, Cologne, Germany
2Win2–0Selcuk DincPTS423 Jul 2011Tai-Kien Gym, Aachen, Germany
1Win1–0Yeton AbdullahTKO4 (4)23 Jun 2011Butan Gym, Wuppertal, Germany

References

  1. ↑ "Ring Magazine: Heavyweight Ratings". ringmagazine.com. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "BoxRec: Heavyweight Ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  3. ↑ Sukachev, Alexey (4 February 2017). "Agit Kabayel Decisions Herve Hubeaux, Becomes Euro Champion". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Kabayel vs Chisora - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Dereck Chisora suffers points defeat to European champion Agit Kabayel in Monaco". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Chisora beaten by champion Kabayel". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "Kabayel vs Rudenko - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Undefeated heavyweight Agit Kabayel signs promotional contract with Top Rank".
  9. ↑ "Kabayel vs Lazaridis - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Warren: Agit Kabayel sent contract to fight Tyson Fury | DAZN News UK". DAZN. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Tyson Fury selects Agit Kabayel as opponent for December 5 homecoming fight". talkSPORT. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  12. ↑ "Tyson Fury fight on December 5 at Royal Albert Hall cancelled". Gareth A Davies. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Agit Kabayel Turns Back Kevin Johnson With Unanimous Decision Win". BoxingScene.com. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Persson, Per Ake (16 May 2022). "Euro News: Agit Kabayel, Cissokho vs. Saidi, Legrand, Ziani, Prat, More". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  15. ↑ Top Heavyweight Team (27 May 2024). "Agit Kabayel Comes Back Like Rocky in Germany". heavyweightboxing.com. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  16. ↑ Staff, BoxingScene (23 December 2023). "Agit Kabayel Drops Arslanbek Makhmudov Three Times To Stop Him in Four Round Shocker". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "RingSide24: German Boxer Agit Kabayel Defeats Frank Sanchez in Seventh Round KO". ringside24.com. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "talkSPORT: Agit Kabayel leaves Zhilei Zhang gasping for air as he knocks out 'Big Bang' with sickening body shot". talksport.com. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  19. ↑ "Agit Kabayel return set for January in Germany". Ring Magazine. 4 November 2025.
  20. ↑ "Nie tak to miało wyglądać. Kontrowerysjne zakończenie. Wielka szansa Polaka uciekła". Interia Sport (in Polish). 10 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "Agit Kabayel stops Damian Knyba early for happy Germany homecoming". Ring Magazine. 10 January 2026.
  22. ↑ "BoxRec: Agit Kabayel". boxrec.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  23. ↑ Debbarma, Sauramita. "Where Is Agit Kabayel From? Ethnicity, Religion, Nationality & More". essentiallysports.com. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
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