Agit Kabayel Rallies to Stop Damian Knyba, Claims Interim WBC Heavyweight Title

Agit Kabayel Rallies to Stop Damian Knyba, Claims Interim WBC Heavyweight Title

By David A. Avila

An all-European heavyweight battle saw Germany’s Agit Kabayel rally from a slow start against Poland’s taller Damian Knyba to win the battle between undefeated fighters by technical knockout in Germany on Saturday.

“And still,” exclaimed Kabayel who remains undefeated.

Fighting back in Germany for the first time in Germany in three years, Kabayel (27-0, 19 Kos) returned to a loud and raucous crowd and overcame a sluggish start to beat down Knyba (17-1. 11 Kos) at Rudolf weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Both heavyweights had active knockout streaks. Knyba now has a six-fight knockout streak.

It didn’t look good for Kabayel in the first round as Poland’s Knyba opened up with a furious attack that bloodied the Germany fighter. Both exchanged ferocious blows but the Polish fighter’s height and length gave him an advantage.

“The first round I told myself to focus,” said Kabayel.

Things slowed slightly in the second round with the Polish fighter using his long jabs and movement to keep the fight at his preferred distance. Meanwhile Kabayel looked for openings and found some with body shots.

Poland’s Knyba returned to the jab and movement to keep the fight at distance in the third round. Germany’s Kabayel stalked the taller fight and hit him with body shots whenever he was in close proximity. Soon the fight became an inside battle as Kabayel used his strength to keep the fight close and belted Knyba relentlessly. The Polish fighter tried to escape but was pummeled and shaken by rights and lefts. The Germany heavyweight fired away and though not all the blows were landing he had Knyba on his heels. A right and left connected for Kabayel and the referee motioned the fight was over to the chagrin of Knyba who motioned with his arms why?

Kabayel was now the interim WBC heavyweight titlist. The crowd in Germany erupted.

“It’s unbelievable. So many people come for me to support me,” said Kabayel who remains undefeated. “I’m here for you, my fans.”

Kabayel, who holds an interim title now, said he seeks an actual world title match.

“I waited so long for this title shot. I’m ready for the real title shot. I’m ready. Let’s go,” said Kabayel about challenging current champion Oleksandr Usyk. “I believe we are ready for anybody.”

Other bouts

Croatia’s Peter Milas (20-1, 16 Kos) rallied after a slow start to end the fight in the 10^th and final round by knockout over Germany’s Granit Shala (18-2, 7 Kos) and take a regional title.

Milas switched between orthodox and southpaw stance to figure out Shala in a competitive heavyweight contest. It took 10 rounds.

Shala and Milas exchanged heavily in the 10^th round with Milas knocking down Shala with a right hook. Shala got up shakily and Milas motioned to the referee that the Germany fighter looked beaten. The referee ignored the request so Milas fired a short one-two that delivered Shala to the floor in a heap. The referee surprisingly began to count but Shala’s corner fired in a towel of surrender.

Milas was the winner by knockout.

A battle for the interim WBC lightweight title saw Cuba’s Jadier Herrera win by technical knockout over Panama’s Ricardo Nunez.

Herrera survived a first round knockdown by Nunez who dropped the Cuban with a sidewinder right that stunned Herrera. Slowly Herrera gained knowledge and timing of Nunez and mounted a rally.

Though the Cuban fighter holds and clinches far too much, he was able to connect with a right hook from his southpaw stance and follow up with four more blows that forced the referee to stop the title match in the eighth round. Herrera now holds the interim lightweight title.

Roman Fury (6-0) won by knockout over Kevin Greenwood in their heavyweight match that was stopped in the fourth round.

Fury, the brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, used his southpaw stance and boxing ability to keep Greenwood at the end of his punches before lowering the boom in the fourth round. Though Greenwood was never close to going down the match was surprisingly stopped. Fans were not pleased by the referee’s stoppage in the fourth round after a seven-punch salvo forced the end.

Heavyweight Nelvie Tiafack (3-0, 3 Kos) pummeled Piotr Cwik (9-6) in the second round dropping the blockhouse built fighter twice in the second round. Cwik had no defense for the barrage of blows to the head and body by the taller Tiafack who won by knockout.