As the new WBC champion, Agit Kabayel is drawing even more public attention. In an interview with DAZN, the ring hero offers deep insights into his soul as a boxer, talks about a possible fight against Tyson Fury, and reveals how he found out he had won the title. Part 2 of the interview:
Agit Kabayel is now at the top of the heavyweight division. But what was his journey to get there like? How does he feel about criticism and a potential fight against Tyson Fury? Germany’s heavyweight star spoke with the sports streaming service DAZN about this and much more. Here is Part 2 of the interview. Agit Kabayel on …
… the significance, in sports, of being a world champion:
Many may make it into the world’s top 5 or top 6, put up one or two good fights—and then that’s it. Very few manage to become heavyweight world champions—and WBC world champions at that.
That’s why I say: We’ve just shown that anything is truly possible. If you believe in yourself—no matter how many obstacles are put in your way—and if you have a good team around you, then you can really achieve anything. Anything is possible.
… his legacy:
I don’t know what people will say about me in the future. That’s for them to decide. I just hope that this underdog story sticks with most people. That they never forget that anything is possible in life if you believe in yourself and have good people around you.
If we look at the whole situation from all angles: I was never the one who had the biggest sponsor by my side or who was simply given the opportunity to fight the big fights. I really had to fight my way to everything, over and over again. Every single time.
Then there was so much commotion around me. There were times when things were looking up, and then other times when they were taking a turn for the worse. That’s why I hope people will say, “Anything is possible in life if you believe in it strongly and are willing to give it your all.” That’s what they should be talking about.
… his role as a role model:
That’s why I say: I want to be a good role model. At the end of the day, I’m a dad; I have a daughter myself. You want to be a good role model—for young people and for everyone who looks up to you.
I think that’s exactly what matters. Lately, everything in boxing has been compared to business. It’s always been about money: Who gets how much? Usyk doesn’t do it because he doesn’t get that money. Who deserves what? But for me, it’s enough if people say about me later on, “He was a good role model.” Screw the money, screw everything. That comes and goes. But what you leave behind stays.
If, someday, people say, “He was a good guy. He left a mark on people. He added value to their lives. He showed them how to make the most of their situation,” then that, to me, is the greatest value I can offer people.
… on critics and winning the World Cup “from the couch”:
To be honest, I haven’t really given it much thought yet. I know that a lot of people discuss it and like to comment on it. The guys who are here with me showed me a few comments. And I thought to myself: It’s crazy what some people just write. But it is what it is. When you’re successful, you automatically attract critics. That’s just part of it. When the criticism comes, you usually know that things are going well right now.
I really did everything I could to make this fight (Editor’s note: the fight against Usyk) happen. I was in Egypt. I think I shot three really good videos there that no one will forget anytime soon. I promoted the “Horses” (a reference to his promotional videos on Instagram) as much as possible. I think I really did everything I could to get this fight. Usyk didn’t want it. It wasn’t my fault.
And at the end of the day—what are we even talking about? I’ve fought 27 times in the ring. Now that I’ve been promoted from interim champion to full-fledged world champion, suddenly everyone’s talking about it. I think there are more important things to talk about. For me, it’s all about defending my title now anyway. And there, I’ll prove once again that I’m in that position for a good reason.
Of course, it would have been awesome. Really awesome. Why? Because I probably would have convinced even the last of my critics. Just to show: Look, the world doesn’t always work the way you imagine it in your head. There are people who think outside the box. People who can move mountains with their mindset. And who do so with their hearts, too. I always say: From fight to fight, you become a different boxer. That’s why it would have been nice to send the champion into retirement myself and say, “Now it’s my time.”
But at the end of the day, God had other plans. We did everything we could. Even the financial terms were in place. A lot of people are still talking about it, but the money was there. Everything was on the table. Everything was ready to be signed. Usyk just had to sign, and the fight would have gone ahead.
I can’t change this situation anymore. For me, it’s time to move on—on to the next challenge. And I’ve always said: I’ve never had a personal issue with any boxer. For me, it’s all about the sport.
… the potential opponent in the title defense:
It doesn’t matter to me. I’ve said it often enough: I’ll fight anyone. I don’t back down from any fight. When Tyson Fury challenged me, I told Spencer right away: If it stays clean and doesn’t get dirty, then we can do it. He said “Yes” right away. And the next day , he posted against me again. So I thought to myself: Okay, so that’s how it is. In any case, I’m not ruling out a fight. I used to always say that it wouldn’t come from my side. But if he really wants it—let’s go.
For now, I’m going to enjoy these few days here, unwind, and then head home. Once I’m back, we can start thinking about the next steps.
… the next steps after his return:
First, I’ll come back, talk to Queensberry, then go over everything again with Spencer, and after that, sit down with my team in Germany and see what’s next.
I’m ready for any challenge. I think we could get something off the ground sometime in mid- to late October. At least, that’s my feeling. I hope that, with the tremendous support we’re currently receiving, we’ll be able to host our first title defense in a stadium. The Düsseldorf stadium—that would be the goal.
(End)
Click here for Part 1 of the interview with Agit Kabayel.