It is being reported in Germany that leading heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel will take on unbeaten Pole, Damian Knyba, on January 10 at the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen.
The contest, according to newspaper BILD, will be formally announced on Wednesday this week. It was also reported that Daniel Dubois has been in discussions to take on Kabayel, 26-0 (18 KOs), but terms ultimately could not be agreed.
Knyba, 17-0 (11 KOs), has since 2022 fought predominantly in America after signing with Top Rank. In the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, the 29-year-old was as low as 38th whereas Kabayel holds the interim championship.
Knyba has won his last four bouts by stoppage but is yet to step into world class waters. Last month he halted Joey Dawejko in seven rounds.
The 33-year-old Kabayel is widely regarded as deserving of a shot at world champion Oleksandr Usyk after posting impressive inside-schedule victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang in consecutive bouts. His contest against Knyba, who was among Zhang's sparring partners when he prepared for Kabayel in February, will be his first in Germany since 2023.
