Agit Kabayel vs Damian Knyba: Start time, how to watch and undercard for interim heavyweight title clash

Jan 8, 2026 - 15:45

Agit Kabayel is set put his WBC interim heavyweight title on the line against Damian Knyba this weekend.

Kabayel is making his return to the ring following his sixth-round stoppage win over Zhilei Zhang in February 2025.

Agit Kabayel with the WBC interim heavyweight title

Kabayel is a huge step up compared to the level of competition Knyba has come across so far in his professional ventures[/caption]

The 33-year-old is now lacing up his gloves to defend his interim strap on home soil.

It will be a packed and sold-out Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, who will be hoping he can take another step to becoming one of Germany’s only ever heavyweight world champions.

His opponent, Knyba, is currently unbeaten in his professional ventures, but rampant Kabayel is hoping to change that this weekend.

Knyba is out to cause an upset to the German star’s plans of facing WBC full title holder Oleksandr Usyk, who he is hoping to lure into a showdown later in 2026.

The interim champion has become one of the division’s most feared operators and victory will likely put him at the top of the pecking order.

Kabayel vs Knyba: Start time

The undercard is set to be live from 7pm GMT.

And the ring walks for the main event are scheduled for 10pm GMT.

Kabayel vs Knyba: Date and where to watch

This 12-round heavyweight fight will take place on Saturday, January 10.

The venue for the bout is the 12,650-capacity Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Action from the full card will be streamed worldwide on DAZN, with talkSPORT.com covering the biggest moments.

Knyba is confident he is in the best shape of his life and will beat Kabayel[/caption]

An Annual Super Saver subscription for DAZN is a one-off payment of £119.99 for 12-month access (£14.99 if paying in monthly instalments).

A Monthly Flexible Ultimate pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is also offered at £24.99 per month here.

Alternatively, you can tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Kabayel vs Knyba: Undercard

MAIN EVENT: Agit Kabayel vs Damian Knyba – for WBC heavyweight interim title
Granit Shala vs Peter Milas
Jadier Herrera vs Ricardo Nunez – for WBC interim lightweight title
David Adeleye vs Robin Och
Roman Fury vs Steffan Hughes
Oronzo Birardi vs Milosav Savic
Gleb Bakshi vs Juan Jose Rodriguez Duran
Nelvie Tiafack vs Piotr Cwik

Kabayel vs Knyba: What has been said?

Kabayel is hoping his bout with Knyba will act as a stepping stone for his continued heavyweight dominance.

Kabayel feels he is the best opponent for Usyk to pursue in 2026[/caption]

He said: “Motivation is good, but I think in one month, two months — the motivation is not for a long time.

“Everything is discipline and I have discipline. I train very hard for my dream, and I hope one time I will be a world champion.

“This is my dream.

“The people give me the name…say Kabayel is the boogeyman in the heavyweight division. All the guys in the heavyweight division will not fight with me.

“But, you know, the situation is not easy, Usyk give the belt and now is WBO champion, Fabio Wardley.

“And I don’t know, we will see after my next fight what is the situation.

Whoever wins is expected to get a shot at Usyk or an upgrade to the full WBC titleholder if he vacates[/caption]

“But first of all, I fight with Damian and after my fight maybe we will see what comes in the future.”

Knyba said to Box Nation: “[Kabayel’s] run is absolutely spectacular.

“I think he’s top two in the world. For me, it’s a great honour to fight someone like him.

“In a sense, this is a dream come true, but this isn’t the end of it. I want to be the best in the world, and in order to be the best in the world, I have to beat Agit Kabayel.”