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Kabayel easily defeats Knyba; The world title fight with Usyk is approaching

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5 months ago

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Agit Kabayel was one step away from a world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk after he ruthlessly defeated Damian Knyba in three rounds on Saturday.

Kabayel (27-0, 19 KO), 33, left Knyba on shaky legs after landing multiple right hands in the third round, causing the fight to be stopped at the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen in his native Germany. It marked a successful first defense of the interim WBC heavyweight title, which is secondary to the WBC world title held by Usyk.

Kabayel’s sixth straight shutout may have been a bit premature, but the end seemed inevitable for Knyba when Kabayel started landing precise right hands that left the Polish fighter on wobbly legs.

Kabayel had picked up some gigantic scalps recently – Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov – and while Knyba may not have had a great reputation, the way Kabayel dealt with him effectively was impressive.

“I was hoping to make a statement that German boxing is alive and well,” said Kabayel, who has been the biggest boxing star based in Germany since Ukrainian brother Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko defended their world heavyweight titles there for more than a decade.

When Kabayel asked the crowd who he should face next, the 12,000-strong crowd responded in one voice: “Usyk.”

“I defeated three monsters in the season in Riyad, now give me a world title fight,” Kabayel said.

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WBC, WBA and IBF world champion Usyk has been linked to fighting former WBC champion Deontay Wilder next, so Kabayel may have to wait to face the Ukrainian in the second half of this year.

However, this victory increases the likelihood of a fight with the Ukrainian in 2026, assuming Usyk does not decide to fight former champion Tyson Fury instead.

Kabayel, who won the WBC interim title last February by defeating Zhang by knockout, resisted a quick start from little-known Knyba (17-1, 11 KO) before opening up and hurting the Pole, who fell apart in the third round.

Knyba, 29, from Poland but based in Fresh Jersey, had not fought longer than eight rounds or had a fight scheduled to last 12 rounds before he climbed the ropes and faced former European champion Kabayel.

But the six-foot-two Knyba, who is four inches taller than Kabayel, didn’t seem out of place in his biggest test yet when he confidently attacked Kabayel in Round 1, landing a flurry of right hands and uppercuts.

Knyba left his mark on Kabayel already in the first round, and the German suffered an eye injury.

However, after a rapid start, Knyba Kabayel got used to his rhythm in Round 2 and then began loading up with hefty right hands in Round 3. In the final minute of Round 3, Knyba’s legs turned to jelly as a right hand reached the temple, and after more right hands landed, the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

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Boxing

Deontay Wilder focuses on next opponent: “We will make it happen”

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18 minutes ago

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June 5, 2026

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Deontay Wilder zeroes in on next opponent: “We’re gonna make it happen”

Deontay Wilder appears to be in talks for his next appearance, which may include negotiations with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

The former WBC heavyweight champion scored a split decision victory over Derek Chisora ​​in April, scoring two knockouts in a mostly close 12-round fight.

Previously, Wilder claimed that approx seventh-round finish over Tyrrell Herndon after consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.

Chisora’s triumph therefore came at a critical moment, although many remain convinced that the 40-year-old should implement his retirement plan.

An imminent departure from the sport, however, seems increasingly unlikely as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is currently considering a possible rematch with fellow veteran Chisora.

Unlike Wilder, Chisora ​​promised that their first meeting would be his last fight, believing that his 50th professional fight would be a suitable event from which he would retire.

However, the way their clash ended inspired the 42-year-old to demand an immediate rematch, hoping for a more favorable outcome next time.

I’m talking to Daily mail boxChisora ​​managed to get a response from Wilder via FaceTime, and the American expressed interest in withdrawing him.

“Hell yes. We’ll make it happen.”

Chisora ​​added that he intended to speak to Hearn, suggesting he was a free agent with the promotion and wanted to strike a deal with the Matchroom boss.

However, although he verbally agreed to a rematch, there is of course no guarantee that Wilder will ultimately put pen to paper.

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Boxing

Elijah Holyfield wins his WWE Evolve debut with an Uppercut Finisher

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2 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Elijah Holyfield, son of former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, won his first WWE Evolve match on June 3, defeating Kai Kavari in the company’s developmental program.

According to material published by Bleacher ReportHolyfield ended the fight with a right hand and pinned Kavari. WWE calls the finisher “The Uppercut”, a move modeled after his father’s boxing. Pro Wrestling Dot Net reported that the fight lasted 1 minute and 14 seconds.

According to SEScoops, Holyfield went through a series of Stinger Splashes and Spinebusters before delivering the final blow.

His father, a former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, built much of his ring identity on body striking and combination work during a career spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

From the NFL to the ring

Holyfield’s path to WWE didn’t go through boxing. He played running back at the University of Georgia and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in one regular-season NFL game during the 2020 season.

A 2022 knee injury he suffered while on the Bengals’ roster ended his football career and redirected him toward wrestling.

WWE path

Holyfield signed a WWE developmental contract in November 2024. He competed in the first season of the WWE reality show LFG (Legends and Future Greats), where he mentored The Undertaker and earned a contract that placed him on the Evolve brand.

His ring debut was delayed due to injury. According to multiple wrestling outlets, he suffered a torn bicep in delayed 2025 and required surgery. He is 27 years ancient.

The June 3 episode of Evolve was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and streamed on Tubi in the United States.

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Boxing

Katie Taylor says the September 5 fight will be her last

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4 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Image: Katie Taylor Says September 5 Fight Will Be Her Last

Katie Taylor’s farewell fight is now official.

On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.


The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.

“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.

“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.

“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”

Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.

Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.

If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.

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Last update: 2026/06/05 at 11:27

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