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German boxer Agit Kabayel becomes first heavyweight world champion in nearly 100 years
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

German boxer Agit Kabayel becomes first heavyweight world champion in nearly 100 years

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Agit Kabayel became the first German heavyweight boxing world champion in nearly 100 years.
  • The WBC title was awarded to the 33-year-old Bochum native after the previous champion, Oleksandr Usyk, relinquished his belts.
  • Kabayel expressed pride in succeeding Max Schmeling and aims to defend his title.

Agit Kabayel has become the first German heavyweight boxing world champion since Max Schmeling, a title awarded by the WBC. The 33-year-old from Bochum expressed immense pride in his achievement, stating, "I am incredibly proud to be the first German heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling 94 years ago. I have reached the goal of my dreams."

I am incredibly proud to be the first German heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling 94 years ago. I have reached the goal of my dreams.

— Agit KabayelKabayel's reaction to being awarded the WBC heavyweight title.

Kabayel received the title after the previous unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, relinquished his belts. The WBC president personally congratulated Kabayel via video call, a moment shared by the organization on X. While Kabayel had previously called for a fight with Usyk, aiming to take the title in the ring, the bout did not materialize due to Usyk's withdrawal.

I am incredibly proud to be the first German heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling 94 years ago. I have reached the goal of my dreams.

— Agit KabayelKabayel's reaction to being awarded the WBC heavyweight title.

"Of course, it would have been nice. But I think Usyk, at 39, is no longer looking for the sporting challenge," Kabayel commented to ntv. "It's not easy to go from hunter to hunted. Maybe at his age, he no longer wants to be hunted and no longer has that spirit."

Of course, it would have been nice. But I think Usyk, at 39, is no longer looking for the sporting challenge. It's not easy to go from hunter to hunted. Maybe at his age, he no longer wants to be hunted and no longer has that spirit.

— Agit KabayelKabayel's comments on Oleksandr Usyk's withdrawal from a potential fight.

Kabayel, who aims to "do everything to hold onto this belt for a long time and add more titles to my collection," according to an Instagram post, will now focus on defending his newly acquired championship. He had been actively seeking a fight with Usyk, with the WBC even ordering the bout in February, but Usyk's decision to step aside changed the path to the title.

I will do everything to hold onto this belt for a long time and add more titles to my collection.

— Agit KabayelKabayel's statement on his future ambitions after winning the title.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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