Agit Kabayel Drops Frank Sanchez Twice in Round 7 of WBC Title Elimination
Agit Kabayel also rose to the occasion.
A competitive fight on paper turned into a showdown for the German opponent in the seventh round of Frank Sanchez. The clincher for the WBC heavyweight title saw Kabayel beat Cuba's Sanchez twice. The second knockdown drew a full ten count to end the fight at 2:23 of the seventh round.
The match was the most competitive of the nine matches undercard on Saturday evening at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Kabayel and Sanchez are both 31 years old and enter the ring with identical 24-0 records.
The first round reflected those statistics. Kabayel kept attacking but Sanchez landed more blows. It was the level of fortune enjoyed by the Miami-based Cuban heavyweight.
Kabayel took the fight from the second round onwards, mainly with physical punching power. Sanchez, who was sporting a brace on his right knee, has struggled to come off an injury or suspension.
The third round continued that trend, although Sanchez found time to get on top. Kabayel shook off a blow and landed a right hand on the retreating Sanchez.
A difficult conversation took place in the corner of Sanchez after the fourth round. Head trainer Eddy Reynoso, best known for his work with four-division champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, tried to motivate him. The pep talk didn't take off, as Sanchez was harassed and kicked out by Kabayel during the fight.
Kabayel intensified his attack to the body in the seventh round. A left hook landed a three-punch combination that forced Sanchez to the canvas.
Sanchez hit the counter but couldn't defend his opponent who was handling him hard. Another left hook to the body forced Sanchez back, and a jab sent him back to the canvas. It was the last punch thrown in the fight as referee Victor Loughlin reached the tenth count.
Compubox has Kabayel (25-0, 17 knockouts) landing 110 of 276 punches (39.9 percent). It was more than Sanchez (24-1, 17KOs), who connected with 47-of-176 punches (26.7%).
Sanchez knocked out Junior Fa in the seventh round Junior Fa last December 23 at this same stadium. The win secured his spot as The Ring's No. 6-rated heavyweight. He was also a top ranked WBC contender and won one on the tail end of his title fight.
That glory now belongs to Kabayel (25-0, 17KOs). The feat marked his second straight hit, both at this venue. Ring's is No. 10 in the heavyweight division won the three-time undefeated Arslanbek Makhmudov in the fourth round. It came from the same program that Sanchez used to defeat Fa.
Kabayel is now in line to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title. It will be a while before he gets a shot at the title. Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), No. 1 heavyweight, he will face RING, WBA, IBF and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) in the main event. It is reported that a replay is expected in October regardless of the result.
Another option for Bayel while waiting for his chance is Joseph Parker. Ring's No. 3-rated heavyweight and the current WBO interim list was ringside and a future challenger. Kabayel seemed hesitant, though he cited their friendship as the reason. The right combat bag can change all that.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for The Ring and vice president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
110/276 47/176
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