Agit Kabayel to defend WBC Interim title to undefeated heavyweight Damian Knyba

Kabayel defends WBC Interim title to undefeated giant Knyba in Germany

Next January 10th, 2026, at the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, the WBC Interim heavyweight champion, Agit Kabayel, will defend his green and gold title against the undefeated, imposing prospect, Damian Knyba.

This fight will be a crucial test for the champion, defending his crown on home ground, and a golden opportunity for the up-and-coming challenger.

Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs), 33, enters this matchup backed by his brilliant performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last February, where he decisively defeated the feared Chinese powerhouse, Zhilei Zhang.

Kabayel is known for his aggressive and entertaining style, and he will look to reaffirm his position as one of the leading heavyweights of the moment.

The 6'3" German has been a WBC champion since his 10th fight in 2014, when he won the Mediterranean belt in Turkey. In 2016, AK became a European Union champ against Christian Lewandowski (TKO 7), which he upgraded to the European title in the very next fight in 2017, which he defened to Derek Chisora in Monte Carlo the same year. He added the NABF title with a stunning fourth-round knockout over then-unbeaten Arslanbek Makhmudov in 2023, then felled another undefeated prospect in Frank Sanchez in 2024 (KO 7), culminating in his career-best win over Zhang in 2025 (KO 6).

Damian Knyba (17-0, 11 KOs) was a Polish Youth and a Polish Senior champion in 2019 and 2020, respectively, hanging up his vest after collecting a 23-7 amateur record.

Now aged 29, the 'Polish Hussar' fought three times in 2025, against opponents with a combined record of 87-13-5, demonstrating activity and progression. He has scalped the likes of Michael Coffie (UD 8); Richard Lartey (TKO 3); Andrzej Wawzyk (TKO 3); Joey Dawejko (KO 7); however, he has yet to face an opponent of the quality and calibre of Kabayel.

Trained in New Jersey, America, the Polish challenger’s main threat lies in his huge, physical dimensions, standing at 2.01 meters (6’7″), Knyba will be one of the tallest opponents Kabayel has ever faced. But, the Polish puncher has never been involved in a championship contest, only going as far as the eighth round.

This fight will be a very interesting and tactical one, where distance and reach will play a crucial role, perhaps providing a few tricky rounds for the German in the early stages.

Both fighters enter the ring undefeated, adding extra drama and intrigue to the contest. The winner will take a giant leap toward an eventual opportunity for the undisputed WBC World Championship, currently held by elite Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk.