{"id":404082,"date":"2026-01-10T11:42:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T11:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/404082\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T11:42:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T11:42:52","slug":"agit-kabayel-aims-to-be-fresh-feared-face-in-heavyweight-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/404082\/","title":{"rendered":"Agit Kabayel aims to be fresh, feared face in heavyweight division"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agit Kabayel <\/a>will look to further stake his claim as a potential future face of the heavyweight division when he faces Damian Knyba<\/a> on Saturday, as he enjoys a homecoming at the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany<\/a>, on DAZN.
The Ring’s No. 2-ranked contender and WBC interim titleholder is coming into the clash with tremendous momentum, having knocked out Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez<\/a>, and most recently Zhilei Zhang<\/a> in February, over his last three fights.
If the heavy favorite Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) crushes Knyba (17-0, 11 KOs), as expected, the fast-emerging boogeyman aims to return to the top of the pecking order and fight the likes of Oleksandr Usyk<\/a>, Tyson Fury<\/a>, Fabio Wardley<\/a>, Daniel Dubois<\/a>, and Moses Itauma<\/a>.
\u201cI hate to talk trash. First, I want to fight Knyba, but for me, the biggest fight will be against Usyk,\u201d Kabayel said on co-hosted by The Ring\u2019s Max Kellerman and Mike Coppinger.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never lost in my career. Why not? It is my dream to fight the champion. I want to fight only the best. We’ll see what the future holds. \u2026 Knyba has never lost in his career as well, and he is motivated. He is dangerous and big. I am ready and happy for the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usyk recently admitted that he likely has, at most, three more fights left in his illustrious career, and that he\u2019s only interested in money-making, meaningful matchups. That means the Ukrainian isn\u2019t necessarily inclined to approve emerging challengers like Kabayel, as evidenced by his decision to vacate the WBO title instead of facing the mandatory challenger Wardley because it didn\u2019t equate to big business. <\/p>\n

Usyk could retire as the champion without facing Kabayel, forcing the 33-year-old to carve a legacy with the remaining competition. <\/p>\n

In the meantime, Kabayel isn\u2019t opposed to giving the up-and-coming 21-year-old phenom Itauma a shot as the heavyweight picture takes shape in 2026. <\/p>\n

\u201cSend me the location. I will fight everyone,\u201d said Kabayel. \u201cItauma is young, he’s good, he’s fresh. It’s a great style and fight for the fans. I am ready for anyone. Yes, why not [I am ready to take the fight next]. Turki Alalshikh can make this happen. After Knyba, we can talk about everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring\u2019s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.<\/p>\n

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