AFTER 93 years, Germany could be on the verge of boasting a heavyweight world champion once again and Agit Kabayel is now set for a homecoming clash to begin a possible landmark 2026.
Germany has been without a heavyweight world champion since Max Schmelling lost his NYSAC, NBA and The Ring heavyweight titles to Jack Sharkey in 1932.
Since then, Schmelling, Karl Mildenberger, Axel Schulz, Luan Krasniqi and Manuel Charr have challenged for heavyweight gold but have each fallen short; a run of 0-8 as a nation in full heavyweight world title contests since 1931.
Now there is a new hope in the undefeated Kabayel, 26-0 (18 KOs), who has announced himself to the heavyweight division with a three-fight run of knockout wins against Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang in Riyadh.
Victory over Zhang saw Kabayel claim the WBC Interim title and the Leverkusen-born contender now seems poised to either face Oleksandr Usyk or be upgraded to world champion within the next 18 months.
However, whilst many fighters would wait patiently for either of those opportunities to arise, Queensberry Promotions confirmed that the 33-year-old will headline the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen on Saturday, January 10, against an unnamed opponent.
Here, Boxing News picks out three suitable opponents for Kabayel’s first outing on home soil since his rise into world title contention.
Nelson Hysa, 24-0 (22 KOs)
The front runner to be Kabayel’s opponent at present is fellow Queensberry fighter, Nelson Hysa, who is backed by a strong Albanian following and, at 41 years old, has little time to waste if he is to mount a charge for world honours.
Hysa has fought five times during 2025, winning inside three rounds on each occasion, and has yet to fight beyond the sixth round in his 24-fight professional career; during which he has fought in Germany on five prior occasions.
Kabayel would enter as a sizeable favourite against ‘The Albanian Eagle’, but the fact that Hysa is a huge ticket seller and boasts an impressive record on paper makes him this an understandable choice from a promotional perspective.
Labinot Xhoxhaj, 21-0-1 (16 KOs)
Kosovo-born EBU European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj is another name well-known to German boxing fans, having boxed upon German soil in his last six appearances.
The 32-year-old was touted as a possible opponent for Dave Allen prior to his meeting with Makhmudov and seems to be a solid European level operator, but one who poses little threat to those in contention for world titles.
Therefore, Xhoxhaj is a respectable selection that poses little risk to the in-form Kabayel, who would be expected to win in style and register a sixth straight stoppage win if tasked with the Kosovan.
Deontay Wilder, 44-4-1 (43 KOs)
Finally comes the least realistic but most eye-catching proposal, a clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder who, when announcing his plans to fight in January, teased the words ‘two-time’.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ returned to action in June with a victory over Tyrrell Herndon and will be keen to get back into the heavyweight mix as soon as possible.
A showdown with Kabayel, which aligns with his schedule, would be an all-or-nothing ‘Hail Mary’ that could thrust the American into a showdown with Usyk if successful, or into retirement if not.
