Kurdish Boxer Agit Kabayel Retains Title, Sends Message of Support to Sheikh Maqsoud

Welat TV – Erbil

Kurdish boxer Agit Kabayel successfully defended his WBC Interim Heavyweight World Title after defeating Polish contender Damian Knyba by third-round technical knockout.

The bout took place on Saturday evening, January 10, 2026, at the Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, where Kabayel dominated the fight from the opening rounds.

With this victory, Kabayel extended his professional record to 27 wins, including 19 knockouts, further cementing his status among the elite heavyweights in world boxing.

Following the fight, Kabayel delivered a strong humanitarian message expressing solidarity with Kurdistan of Syria, particularly the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo, stating: “We will never accept what is happening now in Kurdistan of Syria.”

He added: “Long live Kurdistan, long live Rojava.” Kabayel also declared his readiness to compete for the full world heavyweight title, openly challenging reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk, and stressing that he has no conditions regarding venue or opponent.

Agit Kabayel was born in 1992 in Leverkusen, Germany, and traces his roots to Pazarcık district of Maraş in Kurdistan of Turkey. He currently resides in Bochum, Germany.

Throughout his career, Kabayel has captured several titles, most notably the European Heavyweight Championship (2017–2019), and is currently ranked among the top ten heavyweight boxers worldwide by The Ring magazine.