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. Here is Part 1 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 streaming service DAZN about this and much more. Here is Part 1 of the interview. Agit Kabayel on …
… the world heavyweight title:
I think it’s more the anticipation of being the heavyweight world champion. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because I thought: Now you’re finally the one everyone’s after. Finally, people want something from you. You don’t have to knock on every door and ask a hundred times: “Hey, let’s fight.” Now you know the fights will happen, and now you can sit back a little. I mean sit back in the sense that you say, “I want to fight, but against whom?” That’s why I’m just happy.
… the moment he found out about the title:
The weather is amazing. Now it’s time to just unwind for a few days on vacation. That was the goal—or rather, the reason I came to Spain. I flew to Spain to wait and see how the situation with the WBC would play out. I figured the WBC would definitely take its time until June 1, since Usyk actually had until June 30. I thought maybe they’d declare the title vacant or something like that. You never know.
Then, on the plane after I landed in Mallorca, I found out: “Congratulations, you’re the new WBC heavyweight world champion.” First, my manager called me. After that, we had a Zoom call with the WBC, the WBC president, Maurizio Suleiman, and the lawyers—seven or eight people in total. Queensberry was there too. Then I was officially crowned world champion. It was an indescribable feeling.
I was still on the plane. Spencer—I don’t remember exactly—we were already in the air. I’d forgotten to put my phone in airplane mode. Just before landing, I got the first message from Spencer: “Check your phone—it’s important.” I thought to myself: We’re going to land in five seconds. I picked up my phone and wondered: What happened? Did something happen? Did Usyk call, or do they want to do something else after all? I didn’t know what was going on. Then he said, “You’re the heavyweight world champion.” I’m like, “What? What did you say, Spencer?” He says again, “You’re the heavyweight world champion.” That completely blew my mind.
Then my friend Matthias was sitting next to me. I said, “Matthias, I’m the heavyweight world champion.” He said, “What?” Of course, he was thrilled. We hugged. That was… well, that was a special moment.
… the first moments after the confirmation:
I calmed down for a bit. Until it became official—because by then I’d really seen it all in the boxing business. It wasn’t until I had Maurizio on the line himself and he officially told me that I could say, “Stay calm for now, kid.” Of course, I then let Matthias and my team know. I called my coach. He was extremely happy—finally. We talked for a bit. After that, I called my parents, of course. They were also thrilled. And, of course, my wife and family.
That took care of the most important calls for the time being. I knew that once it became official, the people closest to me would have to know right away, because my phone was about to start ringing off the hook. When I was on the call, I actually had tears of joy. I can’t even describe it. It was just that moment: Now it’s really happening. You’ve been named world champion. It was simply indescribable.
… the long road to the title:
Yesterday, for example, I was sitting here on the patio, enjoying the view, and suddenly got goosebumps. I thought about how many obstacles I’ve had to overcome in my life to get to where I am today.
I’ve really been through some situations… We’re talking about 16 or 17 years of martial arts here. It’s been a roller coaster ride. No matter who had gotten on board, they would have felt sick. Looking back on it all and realizing what hurdles you’ve overcome in your career—that naturally fills you with pride.
And I’m ready to continue writing this story. You have to set new goals for yourself in life. It’s always been my dream to become the heavyweight world champion. So why not become the undisputed champion someday, too?
… on the resurgence he has brought to German boxing:
I’ll say this: I’ve gotten so many people excited about boxing again. Many of my viewers had never had any exposure to boxing before. That’s just the underdog story. It’s almost like a movement.
Here’s someone who came from the very bottom. Someone who’s had to struggle with so many things in his life. We’re an immigrant family. Although I was born in Germany, I come from an immigrant family. This boy constantly had obstacles thrown in his path—and he cleared away every single one of them and still made it to the very top.
I think that’s exactly what moved so many people. That’s why I always say “we” instead of “I.” Together, we’re continuing to write our story. The story isn’t over yet. The ink may have dried by now, but the book is far from finished.
… his coach, Sükrü Aksu:
Yes, of course I called my coach right away. We didn’t get to talk for very long. First, I told him that I’d received the news that I was the world champion. He was overjoyed. He kept saying, “Finally, finally.”
I think it was a huge weight off his shoulders, too. How many people didn’t believe in him back then? How many times have people come up to me throughout my career and said, “Change coaches. You won’t get very far with him.”
But we did it. We made him a world champion coach. He is now a world champion coach. That will go down in the history books. No one can take that away from him now.
And that’s important. Because at the end of the day, I may be the one in the ring, but he works outside the ring every day and has shaped me into the boxer I am today. What’s more, he’s also shaped me as a person. He’s taken on a sort of second father figure role in my life. Everything I’ve learned in boxing—and many things outside of the sport as well—I owe to him. One hundred percent.