OFFICIAL: Agit Kabayel to Defend WBC Heavyweight Title Against Unbeaten Nelson Hysa in 60,000-Seat Stadium
Agit Kabayel’s first defense as full WBC heavyweight champion is officially set. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed Thursday that Kabayel will face undefeated Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa on November 28 at Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, with DAZN carrying the event live. The matchup had been reported earlier this week after negotiations were revived, but Thursday’s confirmation removes the remaining uncertainty surrounding Kabayel’s opponent.
The venue represents an enormous statement of ambition. Merkur Spiel-Arena holds approximately 60,000 spectators, and Warren says the goal is to put Kabayel in front of more than 60,000 fans near the champion’s hometown region. Kabayel enters unbeaten at 27-0 with 19 knockouts after being elevated to full WBC champion when Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt. Hysa is 25-0 with 23 knockouts, although the 42-year-old Albanian has yet to defeat an opponent on Kabayel’s level and currently isn’t ranked by the WBC. He is ranked fifth by the WBA.
November 28 also happens to be Albanian Independence Day, potentially giving Hysa considerable support inside what is designed as Kabayel’s German homecoming. The opponent will draw debate, but the larger story may be the venue: boxing is about to find out whether Kabayel can turn heavyweight championship success into a 60,000-fan attraction in Germany.
