The German heavyweight boxer Agit Kabayel made a real statement in Riyadh. He defeated Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov by TKO.
The German heavyweight hope Agit Kabayel has impressively applied for a future world championship fight. The Bochum native defeated the previously unbeaten Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov by technical knockout in the fourth round on Saturday (December 23rd).
Kabayel dominant as an outsider
Agit Kabayel was not only considered a clear outsider by the bookmakers before the top duel in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. But the Bochum native boxed courageously from the start and was able to put his stamp on the fight early on. Kabayel defied the weight and reach disadvantages with variability and good footwork and repeatedly landed clear, effective hits.
Body hits are the key to victory
A hard liver hook in the fourth round ensured the preliminary decision went in favor of the German. Makhmudov went down for the first time and didn’t recover. After Kabayel’s further hits, the referee stopped the fight when the Russian collapsed to the ground for the third time.
“I probably shocked the world. Nine out of ten guys would have said that I would never win,” said Kabayel on the streaming service DAZN after the fight. “I saw in his face that he wasn’t there and stopped the fight. When I’m given the next opportunity, I’ll be ready.”
Biggest success of Kabayel’s career
Makhmudov is the strongest opponent Agit Kabayel has boxed against so far. The Russian, who lives in Canada, is considered a potential future world champion and has already had a promising ranking with the major world associations. Accordingly, Kabayel went into the fight with a lot of respect. He described Makhmudov as a “monster” and the duel as the biggest task of his career.
Now Agit Kabayel will also move further up the world rankings. The chances of a big title fight increase immensely. Kabayel celebrated his 24th victory in his 24th professional fight in Riyadh. He won 16 times by knockout.
The European Championship belt was not at stake
In March, Kabayel won the European Championship title of the European Continental Association EBU in his hometown for the second time in his career. The Bochum native also defeated the Croatian Agron Smakici early.
This European Championship belt is not at stake in Saudi Arabia. The Makhmudov – Kabayel fight was part of the preliminary program of a major event with former heavyweight world champions Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in the main fights.
What will happen next for the hopeful Kabayel is currently still unclear. The 31-year-old said after the fight that he wanted to go on vacation first.