On February 22, Agit Kabayel will face Zhilei Zhang for the WBC interim world championship. At a press conference, Germany’s heavyweight hopeful received an ominous greeting card from his next opponent.
Agit Kabayel gets around a lot in the international boxing world. First the German “Liver King” (25-0-0-, 17 knockouts) was a guest at the award ceremony of the renowned “Ring” magazine in London on Saturday, then yesterday he met his next opponent at a press conference in England’s capital. There he had his first face-to-face with Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 knockouts) on stage.
On February 22, Kabayel will be part of the exciting undercard of Beterbiev vs. Bivol II and will face the 1.98 meter tall Chinese fighter in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The winner of this interim world championship will be the official contender for WBC champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The way to the top of the world
“I’m ready for the next challenge,” explained Kabayel. “I’m training hard for this fight. The winner can get a title shot.” Germany’s heavyweight hopeful recently defeated Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov and then Cuban Frank Sanchez by knockout on his way to the top of the world rankings.
Zhang presented Kabayel with a red envelope at the press conference to mark Chinese New Year, which falls on January 29. “It’s a tradition for people you like,” said “Big Bang”. What was inside? “There wasn’t a single word in it,” the heavyweight from Bochum revealed to the “Bild” newspaper. “Zhang just put a photo of himself in there. Nothing more.”
Coach Sükrü Aksu expects his protégé back at the UFD Gym in Düsseldorf on Wednesday. There will then be just under six weeks until the fight and Kabayel will begin the hot phase of preparation with sparring sessions.
Text: Frank Schwantes