Russian Heavyweight Sensationally Loses Championship Belt After Being Knocked Down Three Times

• 24.12.2023, 1:30

The Russian was knocked out by a fighter from Germany.

Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs), hiding from sanctions under the Canadian flag, lost the WBA intercontinental champion title to the undefeated 31-year-old German Agit Kabayel (24-0, 16 KOs). A 10-round fight took place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), writes obozrevatel.com.

The 34-year-old native of Mozdok looked much better in the opening of the match, throwing sweeping side kicks. The challenger managed to carry out several successful counterattacks, but it was Makhmudov who worked more actively.

Starting from the 3rd three-minute period, the athlete from Germany gradually began to seize the initiative. Arslanbek showed unsteadiness on his feet and sometimes seemed like he was drunk.

Kabayel successfully hit his opponent's body several times, forcing him to go into deep defense. The denouement came in the 4th round. The fighter from Leverkusen simply destroyed his opponent with blows to the body, forcing him to kneel three times, after which the referee counted the knockdown.

After the third time, the fight was stopped, and Agit was awarded a victory by technical knockout.