In one of the bigger surprises last weekend, heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel battered and stopped Arslanbek Makhmudov in four rounds of action.
Their fight was part of the big ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Kabayel was viewed as the underdog by most observers, but he performed like a big favorite and made it look easy.
After a slow first, Kabayel began to let his hands go in the second. By the third, he was in complete control with his fast hands and footwork – and rocked the bigger man several times.
The end came in the fourth, with Kabayel punishing the body of Makhmudov to score three knockdowns. After the third knockdown, the referee had seen enough and jumped in to wave off the fight.
“I gave my best, won the fight. I’ve been training for this, and I shocked the world maybe?” Kabayel said.
“If you spoke to 10 guys, maybe nine of them would have said I wouldn’t win. My movement was the game plan, using the body shots and then go for the head after that – the liver king.”
Kabayel, the EBU world champion, picks up his biggest career win since banking a points victory over Derek Chisora in 2017.
The door is now wide open for Kabayel to get bigger opportunities, but he’s currently unsure of his next move.
“I won the fight I’m happy; the training camp is finished and the fight is finished. I don’t know [what will happen next] but if you give me the next fight I’ll be ready; I’ll come for everything,” Kabayel said.
Several other top heavyweights were featured on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card, and one of them could become a potential future opponent for Kabayel. Among those who secured victories on the night – Anthony Joshua, Joseph Parker, Frank Sanchez, Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.