Agit Kabayel of Bochum is the first German heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling. He plans to step back into the ring soon.
The new heavyweight world champion, Agit Kabayel, plans to defend his title for the first time later this year. “We’re sticking to our plan. Agit definitely wants to fight this fall—ideally at the stadium in Düsseldorf,” manager Lasse Krüger told SID in response to an inquiry. On Saturday, Kabayel was declared champion by the World Boxing Council (WBC), making him the first German heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling nearly 100 years ago.
Before his next fight, there will be a “big party” with fans in Kabayel’s hometown of Bochum, Krüger explained. Kabayel, previously the WBC interim world champion, benefited from the fact that Ukrainian Alexander Usyk had relinquished his three remaining titles on Friday. Kabayel had originally planned a mega-fight against Usyk in a German stadium.
Management stated that options for the next fight are now being explored together with the promoters. Kabayel last stepped into the ring in January in Oberhausen, where he defeated Poland’s Damian Knyba in front of 13,000 spectators.
Kabayel himself was overwhelmed. “It’s crazy that after all this time, I’ve achieved my childhood dream. I’ve sacrificed so much for this and had to endure so many setbacks,” said the professional, who remains undefeated in 27 fights, in response to a SID inquiry: “Of course, I would have preferred to fight for it, but I qualified for it through my performance.” He said he would give it his all “to hold onto this belt for a long time and add even more titles to my collection.”
Although Usyk had relinquished his belts, he ruled out retiring. “There’s more to come,” the 39-year-old said in an Instagram post. The former undisputed champion most recently held the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.
Max Schmeling last won the title in 1932.
