Oberhausen, Germany - This Saturday at the Rudolf-Weber-Arena, undefeated top-contender Agit Kabayel defends his WBC Interim Heavyweight title against unbeaten Polish challenger Damian Knyba. The bout, streaming worldwide on DAZN, offers a clear look at where both men stand as they head into 2026 and deeper into the heavyweight mix.
Experience and pressure collide with size and an unbeaten record as Agit Kabayel faces Damian Knyba in Oberhausen.
This isn’t a fight about discovery — it’s about execution: Kabayel aims to maintain momentum and positioning near the division’s summit, while Knyba tests himself for the first time at this level.
Why This Fight Matters
For Kabayel, this is an opportunity to defend a title he’s worked a long time to secure and showcase that his recent run isn’t a fluke. He has repeatedly demonstrated a methodical approach: disciplined pressure, strong body work, and tactical ring control. If he locks that in here, he keeps his status as one of the division’s most credible contenders.
Ağır sikletin yenilmez ismi, Kürd boksör Ağit Kabayel, 10 Ocak’ta ringe çıkacağı dev maç öncesi yalnızca yumruklarıyla değil, duruşuyla da tarihe geçti.
Kabayel, maç afişinin arka planına Kürdistan bayrağını (Ala Rengîn) taşıyarak ringe bir onur ve bir milletin gururunu taşıdı. pic.twitter.com/uAeTHRvRzE
For Knyba, it’s a career-defining crossroads. He arrives undefeated and with real physical tools — reach, size, and the confidence that comes with never having lost — but he has never faced an opponent who consistently combines pressure, placement, and patience over twelve rounds. This fight asks him to show not just talent, but adaptability and stamina in unfamiliar terrain.
Ultimately, the outcome won’t just be a number on the win/loss ledger — it will determine how both men are perceived in the heavyweight hierarchy as bigger names stir above them.
The Form Lines
Agit Kabayel (GER) — 26-0 (18 KOs) Kabayel has steadily climbed through wins over notable contenders and now carries professional polish. He’s not a one-punch dynamo, but he consistently imposes his game and grinds opponents down with pressure and positioning.
Damian Knyba (POL) — 17-0 (11 KOs) Knyba’s record reflects steady progress and growing confidence. He’s long and composed, and when he lands he can make his power felt. But this represents a major increase in challenge relative to his past opposition.
This dynamic — pressure and experience versus size and undefeated confidence — creates a compelling clash of styles with real, if lopsided, stakes.
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Body work early and often. It’s the foundation of his style and taxes challengers over time.
Cut angles and pace — not power. Kabayel doesn’t need bombs; he needs consistent, uncomfortable positioning.
Controlled pressure. By squeezing space and tempo without overreaching, he limits Knyba’s opportunities to unleash his best shots.
Knyba
Jab and movement. Keeping Kabayel off rhythm early disrupts the German’s pattern of body-first work.
Stay disciplined in exchanges. Greed for big shots can open counters — a costly mistake here.
Resilience and rhythm. Lasting into later rounds increases the value of his size and reach; survival is itself a victory at this level.
Five Storylines to Watch
Experience vs. Undefeated Confidence. Knyba may be unbeaten, but this is a different tier of test than he’s seen before.
Kabayel’s Tempo Control. If he dictates the pace, he dictates the fight.
Body Attack as a Decay Mechanism. Steady downstairs work could turn this into a late-round story.
Distance Management. Knyba’s reach advantage only matters if he uses it smartly.
How Knyba Handles Pressure. This is as much a mental test as a physical one.
Most Likely Fight Shapes
Kabayel Inside 10 — Gradual accumulation and control lead to a late stoppage or dominant deep-rounds advantage.
Competitive Middle Rounds — Knyba’s confidence keeps him in the fight early, but sustained pressure tilts the scales.
Points Victory for Kabayel — If Knyba survives, Kabayel’s consistency could still carry the cards.
THB Pick
Agit Kabayel by TKO or wide decision. Kabayel’s professional discipline and fight management make him the logical favorite. Knyba’s toughness and unbeaten mentality make him a live opponent early — but over twelve rounds under sustained pressure, the edge belongs to the home-town contender.
