After weeks of hard work, Agit Kabayel is looking forward to spending time with his loved ones, but hopes to soon take on a sporting challenge at the highest level.
Party? Despite his latest statement victory, Agit Kabayel was not in the mood for celebrating. “I just want to go home,” said Germany’s boxing hope after his convincing victory over Poland’s Damian Knyba in Oberhausen: “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, holding my daughter in my arms, enjoying this time. I’ve been isolated for the last 13 to 14 weeks.”
But the isolation was worth it. With his 27th victory in his 27th professional fight, the Bochum native defended his title as WBC interim world champion and reinforced his claim to a fight for the heavyweight crown. Now Kabayel is eager to face undefeated champion Alexander Usyk (Ukraine). “What good are other fights to me?” asked Kabayel, saying he is “ready for the world championship.”
Kabayel’s promoter George Warren had already emphasized before the fight that he would “put a lot of pressure on the WBC starting Monday to give Agit a chance at the title.” A fight in a (German) soccer stadium in the summer is on the cards. However, as Usyk is likely to face American Deontay Wilder in the spring, Kabayel could first face another interim fight against a “British heavyweight,” according to Warren.
At least the fans would be delighted to see another fight in Germany – the electric atmosphere in the Rudolf Weber Arena even rattled Kabayel in the first round. “I was a little frozen,” said the 33-year-old, who then improved significantly and defeated the Pole by technical knockout in the third round.
