(Riyadh) Montrealer of Russian origin Arslanbek Makhmudov was beaten by KO. technical in the fourth round by Agit Kabayel in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The fight ended with 2:03 remaining in the fourth round.
A 31-year-old German with Kurdish roots, Kabayel dominated with body shots, including several starting in the third round.
The first round was uneventful and the second more active, but relatively balanced.
During the third round, Kabayel quickly landed an uppercut. Midway through the round, Makhmudov was unsettled by a rapid exchange of punches — his rival’s first sustained sequence.
In the last minute of the round, Kabayel landed two more good combinations, including a good right to the face and numerous body shots.
Kabayel added two uppercuts in the first minute of the fourth round. This is where Makhmudov put his knee on the ground for the first time.
Already weakened, the 34-year-old Montrealer took more damaging strikes to the body with 1:25 on the clock, having to take his knee to the ground once more.
About thirty seconds later, a series of shots to the stomach sealed the result in favor of Kabayel. The latter brought his record to 24-0-0, including 16 knockouts.
Makhmudov suffered his first loss in 19 matches. Promoter Camille Estephan later revealed on his Facebook page that the boxer suffered two broken hands and will undergo surgery on Sunday.
Kabayel won a third consecutive fight by a knockout. technical.
The “Day of Reckoning” gala had as main fights Anthony Joshua against Otto Wallin, as well as Deontay Wilder against Joseph Parker.
The Kingdom Arena will also welcome tennis stars on December 26 and 27.
The day after Christmas, Aryna Sabalenka, world number 2, will play against Ons Jabeur, number 6.
The following day, Novak Djokovic, the king of the ATP, will face Carlos Alcaraz, second racket on the circuit.
