Agit Kabayel’s latest performance in Riad has cemented his position as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. His fight against Zhilei Zhang for the Interim WBC belt was highly anticipated, with Zhang promising a explosive match, saying “Bang, Bang”. However, no one had ever managed to knock out the Chinese fighter in his 30 professional bouts, so the stakes were high. Kabayel, though, had a strategy up his sleeve, which proved to be effective.
After feeling Zhang’s powerful blows in the first round, Kabayel adjusted his approach, using combinations to the body that gradually weakened his opponent. By the second, third, and fourth rounds, Kabayel’s technique was clear: create space with headshots and finish the combination by targeting Zhang’s liver. Zhang’s confidence began to wane, his face twisting in pain, and his arms dropping in fatigue. It seemed like the end was near, but a great left hook from Zhang sent Kabayel to the canvas in the fifth round, which could have been a turning point.
Fortunately for Kabayel, the sixth round was more of the same, with Zhang’s condition deteriorating further. His mouth was open, gasping for air, every time Kabayel connected another body blow, until he finally couldn’t take it anymore and didn’t get up. Exhausted, Zhang knew his body had had enough. With this victory, Kabayel improved his record to 26 wins, becoming the interim champion and knocking on the door of the heavyweight division’s elite.
Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi Star in a Thrilling Fight
Just before Kabayel’s win, Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi put on another great show. In a back-and-forth fight, Smith ultimately emerged victorious by unanimous decision, taking Buatsi’s undefeated record and claiming the interim WBO super-middleweight title. Smith’s only two losses have been to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev, so he’s definitely a boxer to watch.
Throughout the fight, Smith was the one pushing the pace, while Buatsi was sometimes too conservative. Smith’s blows to the body, combinations of four and five punches, and excellent footwork were key to his victory. By winning, Smith has positioned himself for a shot at the world super-middleweight title, and his performance will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the evening.
