Beterbiev-Bivol 2 Results–Kabayel Vs. Zhang KO Highlight And Reaction
SPECIAL OFFER
$
9.99
Billed Monthly
$
74.99
Billed Annually
$
145
Billed Biennially
Subscriptions renew automatically. You may cancel your subscription at any time.
Benefits
Agit Kabayel gets off canvas, knocks out Zhilei Zhang in six
FILED UNDER:
Agit Kabayel got dropped, but came back to knock Zhilei Zhang out in the sixth round.
Agit Kabayel continued his stunning march up the heavyweight ranks today, coming off the canvas in round five to knock out Zhilei Zhang in the sixth.
Kabayel (26-0, 18 KO) made it three straight noteworthy wins on cards in Riyadh, as he has now reached a pretty clear top five status in the hot and busy heavyweight division. The former European champion has come somewhat out of left field as a serious and dangerous contender, not only winning but doing so in destructive and entertaining fashion.
The win nets Kabayel the interim WBC heavyweight title.
The 41-year-old Zhang (27-3-1, 22 KO) started faster than normal in the first round, but Kabayel, 32, was able to weather that and start pouring on his now-trademark pressure attack, working the body and hastening the normal gassing of his enormous opponent.
Want more from Secret Base? Check us out at https://www.patreon.com/secretbase for a new drop every Monday! The problem with other people deciding you have massive potential is that if YOU don’t reach THEIR expectations, well, then it’s your fault. That’s the way the cookie crumbled for Ben Simmons. And then the cookie turned into beef. Like some weird, culinary alchemy.
Zhang did clip Kabayel in the fifth round, with the German hitting the canvas, but the round was otherwise controlled by Kabayel, and Zhang looked absolutely shot to bits in the sixth. With Kabayel continuing to batter away, the veteran Chinese southpaw simply withered and dropped to a knee, where he was counted out by referee Mark Lyson.
Kabayel has now put himself into serious consideration for just about any fight in the division, probably short of Oleksandr Usyk if only because Usyk has said he intends to fight just two more times, and more likely than not they’ll want bigger “name brand” opposition than Kabayel. But he’s on the radar for anyone else, this is a serious contender who has fought his way to that position.
As for Zhang, every fight is one closer to retirement, especially now that it’s quite clear he’s simply not going to be winning a world title beyond some sort of miracle. He’s dangerous as hell for about five or six rounds still, and if he catches you clean, he can knock out anyone, especially early. But the gas tank — which was never a strength — is gone and time is marching on, as it does for us all.
Follow Bad Left Hook online:
Site search
Bad Left Hook main menu
Share this story
Philadelphia’s beef with Ben Simmons was just part of the Process
NEXT UP IN BOXING NEWS ANALYSIS
Sign up for the newsletter
Sign up for the Bad Left Hook Daily Roundup newsletter!
MOST READ
Play today’s SB Nation in-5 Daily Trivia Game!
Loading comments…
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel Fight Preview: Start Time, Date, Fight Card, How to Watch
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel is a fight between the old guard and the up-and-comer. The WBC interim heavyweight title will be on the line for the clash on February 22.
Zhang is 27-2-1 with 22 knockout wins under his belt. The Chinese pugilist is coming off a monumental TKO win against Deontay Wilder.
Agit Kabayel, on the other hand, is undefeated with a 25-0-0 record. He is a hard hitting heavyweight with 17 knockout wins so far in his career.
The heavyweight contest is expected to be fireworks. Let’s checkout the keys to victory for both fighters.
Zhilei Zhang is the older fighter at 41. He 6’6″ with an 80 inch reach. Zhang is a devastating power puncher as he showcased against Wilder. Apart from that, he also has a solid jab.
Coupled with his reach, Zhang needs to use his reach to great effect to keep Kabayel at a distance. That could neutralize Kabayel’s power. Zhang also has a solid chin, but not taking clean shots would be the smarter approach for the veteran. Managing the distance could be key for Zhang as he should look to pick and choose the big shots.
Kabayel is 32. Standing at 6’3″, he has an 80 inch reach. Kabayel’s power punching is well known and he is yet to show any significant weaknesses in his career. That, however, is often the case with an undefeated fighter.
Against an experienced campaigner like Zhang, Kabayel can’t throw caution to the wind. He needs to take a smart approach and wait for the right opportunity to rock Zhang with his power.
Date: February 22, 2025
Card start time: 11:45 am EST
According to DAZN, Zhilei Zhang and Agit Kabayel will have their ring walks at 12:40 pm ET.
TV/ Stream: DAZN PPV (Worldwide)
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel will be available on DAZN PPV worldwide.
Location: anb Arena (Formerly The Venue)
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel will take place at the anb Arena (Formerly The Venue).
Note: The venue for this event was changed on February 21st from Kingdom Arena to anb Arena (Formerly The Venue).
Undisputed light heavyweight title fight main event: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2
Joseph Parker vs Martin Bakole: WBO interim heavyweight title
Shakur Stevenson vs Josh Padley: WBC lightweight title
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz: WBC middleweight title
Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov: WBC world interim super welterweight title
Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel: WBC interim heavyweight title
Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith: WBO light heavyweight interim title
The Latest Boxing News:
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov Preview: Start Time, Date, Fight Card, How To Watch
Frank Warren Reveals Symptom That Forced Daniel Dubois To Withdraw From Joseph Parker Fight
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 Full Card Weigh-In Results
Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz Fight Preview: Start Time, Date, Fight Card, How To Watch
Apratim is an experienced sports journalist and has covered Football, Boxing, MMA, and more for the past five years. He has worked for Sports Illustrated, Sportskeeda, EssentiallySports, and other publications. Apratim is currently pursuing an MSc. in Sport Marketing at Loughborough University London.
© 2025
ABG-SI LLC
– SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
