Overview
- Kabayel improved to 27-0 with his sixth consecutive stoppage and the 19th knockout of his career.
- Referee Mark Lyson halted the fight late in the third after a sustained burst from Kabayel, a call some observers viewed as early.
- Fighting before a raucous 12,000 at Oberhausen’s Rudolf Weber-Arena, Kabayel’s homecoming underscored his drawing power in Germany.
- Knyba, now 17-1, suffered his first professional defeat after a strong opening round that included sharp right hands and a cut on Kabayel.
- Post-fight, Kabayel called for Oleksandr Usyk as the crowd chanted the champion’s name, but no bout has been scheduled.