Boxing Result

German heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel produced a minor shock with a seventh-round knockout of Cuban, Frank Sanchez. The WBC heavyweight title eliminator saw Kabayel twice floor Cuba’s Sanchez. The second knockdown produced a full ten count to end the fight at 2:23 of the seventh round.

The matchup was considered the most competitive on paper among the nine undercard bouts Saturday evening at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia except for the main event. Kabayel and Sanchez are both 31 and entered the ring with identical 24-0 records.

The first round reflected those statistics. Kabayel constantly charged forward, but Sanchez landed the more telling blows. It was the extent of the good fortunes the Miami-based Cuban heavyweight enjoyed.

Kabayel took over the fight from round two onward, particularly on the strength of body punching. Sanchez, who sported a brace on his right knee, struggled to get out of harm’s way or even get his offence untracked.

Round three continued that trend, though Sanchez found time to land a right uppercut. Kabayel shook off the blow and landed a right hand against a retreating Sanchez.

A hard conversation took place in the Sanchez corner after the fourth round. Head trainer Eddy Reynoso, best known for his work with four-division champ Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, attempted to motivate his charge. The pep talk didn’t take, as Sanchez was out-hustled and outfought by Kabayel for the duration of the fight.

Kabayel intensified his body attack in the seventh round. A left hook downstairs set up a three-punch combination, forcing Sanchez to squat on the canvas.

Sanchez beat the count but was unable to fend off his hard-charging foe. Another left hook to the body forced Sanchez to back up, and a stab jab sent him back to the canvas. It was the last punch thrown in the fight as referee Victor Loughlin reached the count of ten.

Sanchez knocked out Junior Fa in the seventh round of Junior Fa last December 23 in this arena. The win preserved his place as The Ring’s No. 6-rated heavyweight. He was also the top-rated WBC contender, one win away from his career title fight.

That glory now belongs to Kabayel (25-0, 17KOs). The feat marked his second straight upset knockout, both at this venue. The Ring’s No. 10-rated heavyweight floored then-unbeaten Arslanbek Makhmudov three times in a fourth-round knockout. It came on the same show that housed Sanchez’s win over Fa.