VIDEO: Agit Kabayel is the Most Worthy Challenger for Oleksandr Usyk

Agit Kabayel stopped Damian Knyba in the third round in Oberhausen, Germany before a loud home crowd. The stoppage came suddenly and triggered frustration among many fans who felt the referee acted too soon.

Knyba, 27, started well with a steady jab and uppercut, controlling distance and forcing Kabayel to reach. Kabayel adjusted in the second round, edging closer and working short punches to head and body. The end arrived midway through the third when several looping rights landed clean and pushed Knyba back. As Knyba tried to hold, the referee stepped in, waving it off while the Polish corner protested the call.

Local coverage in Germany described the ending as abrupt but consistent with Kabayel’s growing patience and pressure-based approach. The result improved Kabayel’s record to 27–0 with 19 knockouts. It was his sixth straight stoppage and continued a strong run that includes victories over Frank Sánchez, Arslanbek Makhmudov, and Zhilei Zhang.

Inside German boxing circles, the view is that he remains one of the few unbeaten heavyweights in Europe still waiting for a major title fight. However, reports indicate Oleksandr Usyk is locked in separate talks with Deontay Wilder, which could delay any chance of Kabayel facing the champion soon.

At 33, Kabayel appears to be at his most complete. He applies steady pressure, blocks well, and works the body in disciplined phases. His style fits the longer, slower tempo of modern heavyweight fights, though there are doubts about how he would handle elite technicians like Usyk.

For now, Kabayel’s momentum continues to build, but questions remain about whether this unbeaten run reflects world-level readiness or strong regional form. The next fight on his calendar is expected to test that difference.

This edition of Rummy’s Corner will provide a full fight review of the heavyweight contest between Agit Kabayel and Damian Knyba, while also providing opinions on why Kabayel represents the most interesting and worthy title challenger for heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. This is Rummy’s Corner (produced and narrated by Geoffrey Ciani).