Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk mandatory decided as Agit Kabayel stops Frank Sanchez with punishing body shot knockout
Agit Kabayel is now mandatory for the WBC heavyweight world title after beating Frank Sanchez via body shot stoppage in round seven.
The green and gold strap is on the line as one of the four belts up for grabs between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in the main event.
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Kabayel started fast on the front foot while Sanchez danced around the ring, looking to counter with straight shots.
At times, Kabayel smothered his work as he looked to pour on the pressure although he was continually getting through with some heavy body shots.
By the fourth round, Sanchez looked uncomfortable.
The bodywork from Kabayel appeared to be paying dividends.
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Sanchez, known for his nimble footwork didn’t look nearly as quick of foot as he usually does.
This may have had something to do with the strapping around his right knee but there was also no doubt ‘The Cuban Flash’ was being slowed down by Kabayel’s investment to the body.
At the end of the fourth round, there was a sense of urgency coming from Sanchez’s corner with the contest seemingly slipping away from their fighter.
Sanchez came out on the front for the fifth but was quickly forced back onto his heels by the former European heavyweight champion.
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By the halfway mark, he looked out of ideas while Kabayel was calm, composed and full of energy.
Varying his shots from body to head, Kabayel kept Sanchez constantly guessing as he trapped him up against the ropes.
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Despite his consistently high work rate, Kabayel showed no signs of slowing down heading into the seventh as he dropped Sanchez with a series of big shots.
And Kabayel didn’t let him off the hook as he quickly set on Sanchez before dropping and stopping him with a stabbing jab to the midsection.
Taking to the mic in the immediate aftermath, Kabayel said: "I am very happy, we trained very hard for this opportunity.
"As you see, we win. I see he had not conditioned [to the body].
"I see it and I finished the fight. The Liver King is back!"
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