The German heavyweight boxer Agit Kabayel has become European champion in his home town of Bochum. The 30-year-old beat Croatian Agron Smakici (32) by knockout in the third round on Saturday evening in front of more than 3000 fans in the RuhrKongress-Halle. He remained undefeated in his 23rd professional fight.
“Bochum, we are European champions! Now we’re attacking the world championship. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart,” said Kabayel after the 15th knockout victory of his career. In the second round he went down himself, but got back up against his badly injured opponent – and ended the fight prematurely.
Kabayel was already among the top 15 in the world in the IBF, WBA and WBO associations, and his victory against Smakici also put him in the top 15 in the WBC. His big goal is the world title, which Tyson Fury (34) currently holds at the WBC. Kabayel had already agreed a fight with the British in 2020, but it burst due to the corona pandemic.
In the fight on Saturday, Kabayel, who is of Turkish origin, also got into the ring for the victims of the earthquake disaster. “As much money as possible” should come together for them: “This is my home, my family. I will donate part of my fee and I will try everything in my power to support it,” he said.