Avila Perspective Chap 359 Heavyweights, Super Lights and More

Avila Perspective Chap 359 Heavyweights, Super Lights and More

No surprise that European heavyweights are dominating the boxing scene. Germany has its own contender in Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 Kos) who will test his skills against Damian Knyba (17-0, 11 Kos) on Saturday Jan. 10, at Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. DAZN will stream the Top Rank and Queensberry Promotions card.

Kabayel, 33, has a five-fight knockout streak including the surprising stoppage of top contender Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang last February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also knocked out undefeated fighters Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov along the way.

“I think now I’m on the map. Always I believe in myself. I’m a hard worker,” said Kabayel. who is considered in the top five of heavyweights in the world. “Other guys in the division will not fight with me. We will see after my next fight what is the situation.”

Power is not a problem for Kabayel.

Knyba, 29, has a four-fight knockout streak of his own despite having only 11 total knockouts on his record. He seems to have found his power recently. Though born in Poland he fights out of New Jersey.

The early part of his pro career was spent fighting in Poland but his last eight fights took place in the USA. He remains undefeated and this is his big moment.

Right now, the heavyweight division is in flux due to Oleksandr Usyk holding most of the recognized world titles. Kabayel believes a win propels him to the top of the heavyweight ladder.

“After Damian Knyba who knows, the next fight is for a world championship,” Kabayel said. “Usyk is the best fight for me. It’s easy to sell out the stadium in one week. Why not? First of all, Damian, then after, we can talk.”

Five other heavyweight fights are scheduled on the boxing card from Oberhausen, Germany.

Super Lightweights in NYC

Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias (23-2, 22 Kos) defends the WBC super lightweight title against Dalton Smith (18-0, 13 Kos) of England on Saturday Jan. 10, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. PPV.Com will stream the Fresh Productions fight card.

The hard-hitting Matias has tough going when he meets Sheffield’s Smith who can really crack. Both guys can crack and that’s what makes this match so intriguing.

In the past Matias has encountered problems with clever boxer-punchers like Liam Paro and Petros Ananyan and ultimately lost. Will he find Smith a similar conundrum?

Smith was able to stop world title contender Jose “Chon” Zepeda a dangerous puncher when they met nearly two years ago. Zepeda had gone the distance with world titlist Richardson Hitchins but lasted only five rounds against Smith.

It should be exciting while it lasts.

Another super lightweight match features Nestor Bravo (23-1, 16 Kos) of Puerto Rico against Mexican veteran Pedro Campa (37-4-1, 25 Kos) who has faced Teofimo Lopez and Alfredo Santiago. The winner could be poised to meet the victor between Matias and Smith.

Santiago (17-2, 8 Kos) is also on the card and will face undefeated Hendri Cedeno (16- 0, 12 Kos) in an all-Dominican super lightweight clash set for 10 rounds and a regional title.

Next Week

Golden Boy Show on Jan. 16 at Palm Desert, CA

The rematch between welterweight sluggers Alexis Rocha (25-2-1, 16 Kos) and Raul Curiel (16-0-1, 14 Kos) at the Acrisure Arena at Palm Desert on Friday Jan. 16. The Golden Boy Promotions card will be streamed by DAZN.

Their previous clash took place on Dec, 14, 2024 in Ontario, Calif. It ended in a majority draw after 12 back-and-forth bludgeoning rounds. Who will emerge the winner this time?

Also on the card is Manny “Gucci” Flores (20-1-1, 16 Kos) meeting undefeated Jorge Chavez (14-0-1, 8 Kos) once again. They fought to a majority draw in their first encounter this past July.

Soboba Casino on Sat. Jan. 17

A boxing show loaded with prospects including undefeated featherweight Alberto Gonzalez and others takes place on Saturday Jan. 17, at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif.

The House of Pain So Cal Boxing show also includes female lightweight contender Chelsea Anderson (8-0) who faces Alejandra Rojas (5-3-2) in a six rounds bout.

Fights to Watch (all times Pacific Time)

Sat, DAZN 10 a,m, Agit Kabayel (26-0) vs Damian Knyba (17-0).

Sat, PPV.COM 5 p.m. Subriel Matias (23-2) vs Dalton Smith (18-0).

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