WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel returns to his home country of Germany to defend his title against undefeated Polish challenger Damian Knyba at Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen. The 12-round heavyweight championship bout pits Kabayel’s championship experience and devastating body punching against Knyba’s imposing size and reach advantage.
Kabayel enters with a perfect 26-0 record including recent knockout victories over Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez, and Arslanbek Makhmudov. Knyba comes in undefeated at 17-0 with his most recent victory being a seventh-round TKO over Joey Dawejko. Kabayel enters as a massive favorite around -2000 with Knyba at roughly +1240 as the underdog.
Here’s how we’re betting Kabayel vs Knyba, including our boxing predictions, best bet, key props and an expert final verdict.
Mini Fight Info Strip
Event: Kabayel vs. Knyba – WBC Interim Heavyweight Championship
Weight class: Heavyweight
Fight length: 12 rounds
Date & time: Saturday, January 10, 2026 – 2:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT (Main card 12:00 p.m. ET, Ringwalks – 5:00 p.m. ET)
Venue: Rudolf Weber Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
Broadcast: DAZN (United States and United Kingdom)
Odds updated: January 9, 2026 – 11:00 PM ET. Lines may move before fight night, especially after weigh-ins.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats To Know
Tale Of The Tape
Agit Kabayel
Damian Knyba
Record
26-0
17-0
Age
33
29
Height
6’3″
6’7″
Reach
80″
86″
Stance
Orthodox
Orthodox
Weight
241 lbs
254.5 lbs
KO/TKO Wins
18
11
KO/TKO Percentage
69%
65%
Rounds Boxed
131
77
Avg. Rounds per Fight
~5.0
~ 4.5
Kabayel holds advantages in experience (26 fights vs 17), knockout percentage (69% vs 65%), championship experience, and quality of opposition. Knyba counters with youth (4 years younger), significant height advantage (4 inches), reach advantage (6 inches), and weight advantage (13.5 lbs).
Fighter Breakdown – Agit Kabayel Analysis
Kabayel brings a perfect 26-0 record with 18 knockouts including his WBC interim heavyweight championship victory over Zhilei Zhang in February 2025. The 33 year old is the reigning WBC interim heavyweight champion and two time European heavyweight champion.
Strengths: Perfect professional record shows elite-level consistency. WBC interim heavyweight champion with title experience. Recent victories over top-tier opposition. Elite knockout percentage (69%) with 18 stoppages. Devastating body puncher who breaks down taller opponents. Exceptional ring IQ and tactical discipline. Superior footwork and movement for heavyweight. Excellent conditioning maintains pace for 12 rounds. Pressures behind guard and cuts off ring effectively. Invests in body work early to slow opponents late.
Weaknesses: Age at 33 with accumulating career mileage. Height and reach disadvantages (4 inches and 6 inches respectively). Lighter weight at 241 lbs could be vulnerable to bigger punchers. Been knocked down in recent fights (Zhang dropped him in round 5). Long layoffs between recent fights could affect rhythm.
Betting Angles: Kabayel’s path runs through pressuring inside, neutralizing Knyba’s reach advantage, and targeting the body relentlessly. His experience against elite competition vastly outweighs Knyba’s resume. At -910 moneyline, he’s very expensive, but the KO/TKO method at -275 offers better value given his recent finishing streak.
Fighter Breakdown – Damian Knyba Analysis
Knyba brings a perfect 17-0 record with 11 knockouts including his most recent TKO victory over Joey Dawejko in October 2025. The 29 year old now trains in the United States under the Top Rank promotional banner.
Strengths: Undefeated professional record. Impressive physical dimensions at 6’7″ with 86-inch reach. Strong knockout percentage (65%) with 11 stoppages. Effective jab controls distance and sets up power shots. Former Polish Youth Champion (2019) and Polish Senior Champion (2020). Four knockouts in last 14 months shows active finishing. Weight advantage at 254.5 lbs provides power. Taller than Tyson Fury with longer reach creating distance control.
Weaknesses: Massive step up in competition against elite opponent. First scheduled 12-round championship distance fight tests untested cardio. Limited quality opposition on resume. Lacks inside game when pressured and crowded. Tends to retreat in straight lines rather than pivot when pressured. Never faced pressure fighter of Kabayel’s caliber.
Betting Angles: Knyba’s path requires establishing stiff jab early, maintaining distance with reach advantage, and using lateral movement to avoid Kabayel’s pressure. His physical advantages create a puncher’s chance. At +1240 moneyline, he offers longshot value only if his size advantage prevents Kabayel from getting inside and his untested chin holds up.
Kabayel at -910 on the moneyline requires risking $910 to win $100 – very expensive for minimal return. However, targeting his knockout method at -275 provides far better risk-reward. Kabayel hasn’t gone to decision since June 2021, finishing his last five opponents by knockout including elite competition. We see Kabayel pressuring inside, overwhelming Knyba’s pawing jab, and landing vicious body shots that accumulate damage before securing the stoppage.
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Value Prop: Under 8.5 Rounds (-110)
Kabayel’s recent knockout streak combined with Knyba’s first 12-round fight and lack of championship experience profiles this for an early-to-mid stoppage. Kabayel has finished four of his last 5 fights before round 8, and Knyba’s untested cardio at championship distance creates vulnerability. As Kabayel’s body work accumulates through rounds 4-7, Knyba’s output should decline dramatically. His tendency to retreat in straight lines rather than pivot means he’ll absorb punishment rather than survive it.
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Longshot Flier: Knyba by KO/TKO (+1400)
Small stake only, 0.25 units maximum. Knyba possesses legitimate heavyweight power with 11 knockouts in 17 fights, and his 86-inch reach creates opportunities to land clean before Kabayel gets inside. If Knyba establishes his jab early and catches Kabayel coming in with a right hand, his size and power could produce an upset knockout. At +1400, it’s worth a small flier given heavyweight division volatility.
Prediction – Final Verdict
Official pick: Agit Kabayel by KO/TKO (Round 6)
We are backing Kabayel to successfully defend his WBC interim heavyweight championship with a mid-fight knockout. The German champion’s championship experience, superior opposition faced, and devastating body attack create an insurmountable challenge for Knyba’s limited inside game. Kabayel should pressure forward immediately, walk through Knyba’s pawing jab, and invest heavily in body work from rounds 1-5.
Knyba’s height and reach advantages should create early success with his jab controlling distance through the opening rounds. However, as Kabayel closes distance and establishes inside position, Knyba’s tendency to stand tall and retreat in straight lines will expose his body to Kabayel’s vicious hooks and uppercuts. We see Kabayel ending the fight with a body combination in round 6 that drops Knyba, forcing the referee to wave off the fight.
The experience differential proves decisive. Kabayel has fought and defeated elite heavyweights including Zhang (who many considered the harder puncher), while Knyba’s resume features mostly domestic-level opposition. We see Kabayel retain his WBC interim heavyweight championship and positioning himself for a mandatory title shot at the undisputed championship.
How to Watch Kabayel vs. Knyba
Broadcast: DAZN (United States and United Kingdom)
Start Time:
2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT (Main Card)
5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT (Expected Ringwalks)
8:00 p.m. local time Germany / 7:00 p.m. UK
DAZN Subscription Options:
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Full Fight Card
Main Event: Agit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba – WBC Interim Heavyweight Championship, 12 rounds
I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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