The pick of the action on Saturday’s Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard is Frank Sanchez against Agit Kabayel. The unbeaten duo have been ordered by the WBC to fight a heavyweight eliminator and so the winner should be in line for a shot at either Fury or Usyk down the line.
Kabayel produced arguably the performance of 2023 in December of last year, dropping and stopping the fearsome Arslanbek Makhmudov inside four rounds on that huge ‘Day of Reckoning’ card.
DAZN: Sign up to watch Fury vs Usyk LIVE!
Many observers felt Makhmudov could be the heir apparent when Fury, Usyk and Anthony Joshua finally chuck it in, but after a two-to-toe war, the European heavyweight champ Kabayel boxed brilliantly and eventually stopped Makhmudov with an official end time of 2:03 in round four.
Undefeated Kabayel moved to 24-0 (16) and faces another huge test this weekend against Cuban stylist Sanchez (live on DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office in the UK, and ESPN and DAZN PPV in the U.S.).
Kabayel a slow burner
Kabayel has been a professional for over 12 years. However, his career is the very definition of a ‘slow-burner’. He has boxed just six times in as many years since he beat Dereck Chisora in the first defence of his European heavyweight title back in 2017.
Sanchez meanwhile is also 24-0 with 16 quick, and he has barely put a foot wrong during his rise through the heavyweight ranks. ‘The Cuban Flash’ arrives in Saudi off the back of four consecutive stoppage wins, most recently against Junior Fa in December.
Sanchez a dangerous foe
Sanchez can be extremely dangerous when he really lets himself flow. He’s tricky and educated, which is understandable after coming through the Cuban amateur program. He is also very tough, with a solid chin and a hunger to win.
There’s a reason why the champions don’t seem to be able to remember his name, and he’s favourite here to win with the odds compilers.
However Kabayel looks really capable and the bookies may be underestimating him again, as this is a pretty even matchup between two proven guys.
It was a terrific win against Makhmudov, but it certainly was not a fluke.The way Kabayel mixed his attacks between head and body to confuse and eventually overwhelm the Russian was quite brilliant, and Kabayel looks a live underdog here at 13/8. He is certainly the puncher in this fight.
Kabayel vs Sanchez verdict
Sanchez, despite having fast hands and good power, can be a bit too tentative. If Agit hurts his opponent, he’ll go for the stoppage. With this in mind, Kabayel by late-round stoppage really would not be a surprise.
At the age of 31, if the German can get the ‘W’, he will be eyeing up a date with the winner of the main event at some point in 2025 and all the riches that go with it.
Kabayel vs Sanchez tips
Agit Kabayel to beat Frank Sanchez at 13/8 (Hills)