Agit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba: Germany Opens 2026 With a Clash of Undefeated Heavyweights
On January 10, 2026, the heavyweight division will return with force, when Agit Kabayel defends his WBC Interim World Championship against Poland’s Damian Knyba in Oberhausen, Germany. It will be the first major fight of the year and a crucial test for both men.
Kabayel enters as the hometown favorite, backed by an unbeaten record and a string of performances that have kept him among the main contenders for the absolute world title. His disciplined style and ability to dictate pace make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.
Knyba arrives undefeated and with impressive numbers, but carrying an inevitable question mark: the level of opposition he has faced so far. This fight will be, without excuses, his trial by fire. If he withstands the pressure, he enters the real heavyweight conversation; if not, he risks being filed away as an unfulfilled promise.
Kabayel seeks more than just another defense—he wants political weight in the queue of contenders for the absolute world title. And few stages embody that ambition better than opening the boxing year at home, before his fans, with zero margin for error.
