Key points:
- Agit Kabayel maiden world heavyweight title defence announced
- His German homecoming set for 60,000 spectators
- Challenger Nelson Hysa is unbeaten in 25 fights with 23 KOs
Agit Kabayel will make a first defence of his WBC world heavyweight title when he takes on the undefeated Albanian star Nelson Hysa on Saturday November 28 at the 60,000 capacity Merkur Spiel Arena Dusseldorf, live on DAZN.
Dusseldorf is close to the Bochum home of the unbeaten champion Kabayel, who made a successful return to fighting in his home country in January when he stopped the previously undefeated Damian Knyba in the third round in front of a sold-out Rudolf Weber Arena in Oberhausen.
Kabayel, 34, who became WBC Interim world champion with his defeat of Zhilei Zhang in early 2025, was upgraded to full champion in June of this year following unified champion Oleksandr Usyk relinquishing his titles.
Previously, the Kabayel success story included a sequence of wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez, ahead of his triumph over Zhang.
The big-punching Albanian Hysa (25-0, 23 KOs) sought out Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs) with a call to fight following his recent second round stoppage of Thomas Narmo on the undercard of the Hrgovic-Itauma world title card in London, with the two embarking on an increasingly heated social media back and forth since.
The 42-year-old retained his WBO Global title, with him previously being a long-standing holder of the WBO European title.
Fittingly, for the hugely popular Hysa, his world title showdown falls on Albanian Independence Day and, like Kabayel, he is sure to enjoy a massive support inside the stadium.
“This is the fight we wanted to make,” said hall of fame boxing promoter Frank Warren. “Agit Kabayel has rejuvenated the boxing market in Germany with his exploits in the heavyweight division and he will prove as much by defending his world title in front of over 60,000 fans in Dusseldorf on November 28.
“It is going to be an incredible occasion and this is what Agit deserves. The fight against Nelson Hysa has got all the ingredients for a heavyweight shootout, with two unbeaten knockout specialists.
“This will be yet another heavyweight special delivery from Queensberry, as we continue to bring big time boxing back to Germany.”
“Agit has earned his place at the very top of the heavyweight division”, commented Spencer Brown of Goldstar. “Hysa is a dangerous, hungry opponent, but Agit is on a mission and I fully expect him to win this fight in style.”
Tickets
Presale sign-ups are now live, with on sale for the Queensberry presale commencing Friday, 2 October at 2:00 pm CEST, General sale will follow on Tuesday, 5 October at 2:00 pm CEST.