OF the fighters involved in Riyadh Season, perhaps none have benefited more than Agit Kabayel.
The sports and entertainment initiative in Saudi Arabia is, of course, designed to increase the Kingdom’s economy, accelerating tourism while human rights abuses continue at an unrelenting rate.
At the same time, though, it is difficult to ignore how each fighter has used these events to elevate their own career, not only maximising their earning potential but providing themselves with greater opportunities to shine on the world stage.
So while Turki Alalshikh – operating under the orders of Mohammed Bin Salman – continues to pump astronomical sums of money into the sport, the fighters can only respond by producing their best possible performances, hoping to secure a future beyond their unforgiving craft.
In that sense, Kabayel, 25-0 (17 KOs), has to be one of the greatest success stories to emerge following Saudi Arabia’s investment.
Despite making several defences of his European title, the German bruiser had previously been at risk of fading into obscurity, remaining far removed from the world level scene.
But then, as he stepped up to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in 2023, the unbeaten contender pulled off an almighty upset to halt the terrifying puncher with a punishing fourth-round stoppage.
Hoping to prove that his stunning performance was by no means a fluke – a flash in the pan, as some may have opined – Kabayel wasted little time before taking on another largely avoided heavyweight.
That time, his formidable assignment was against fearsome Cuban Frank Sanchez who, for good reason, was considered by many to be something of a bogeyman.
Nevertheless, Kabayel went for the jugular once again, marching his defensively advanced opponent down before flooring him twice in a ruthless seventh-round finish last May.
In many ways, it is the 32-year-old’s hand speed, combined with an aggressive approach, which has posed the most problems for his larger opponents.
But when he returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this Saturday, he must square off against one of the most physically imposing heavyweights this division has ever seen.
Not only is Zhilei Zhang a mountain of a man but his destructive power was enough to pulverize the previously indestructible Joe Joyce on two occasions in 2023.
In his last outing, too, the Chinaman’s potent left hand out of the southpaw stance proved too much for Deontay Wilder, sending the former world champion crashing to the canvas in a brutal five-round demolition job.
The stamina department, however, is where Zhang, 27-2-1 (22 KOs), was ultimately found out in last year’s majority decision defeat to Joseph Parker.
Despite flooring his opponent twice, it became clear that fatigue represents a genuine concern for the 41-year-old, with his legs struggling to carry his enormous frame down the stretch.
Sure enough, this is a weakness that Kabayel should be looking to exploit, as while he is known for ending his fights inside the distance, the durability of Zhang may force him into a 12-round battle of attrition.
So long as he evades the bombs that will undoubtedly be detonated by ‘Big Bang,’ a victory on points appears to be the most likely outcome for Kabayel, seeing him extend his unblemished record while also claiming the WBC interim title.
Full Card Previews Below
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
12 x 3 minute rounds – IBF, WBO, WBA and WBC World Light Heavyweight Titles
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole
12 x 3 minute rounds – IBF World Heavyweight Title
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov
12 x 3 minute rounds – WBC Interim Super Welterweight Title
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith
12 x 3 minute rounds – WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Title
