Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel Preview December 23rd, 2023
Two hard-hitting, heavyweight prospects will be going at it over 10 rounds this Saturday, December 23rd as unbeaten Arslanbek Makhmudov of Russia will be taking on undefeated Agit Kabayel of Germany in Saudi Arabia. The bout can be seen live in most nations on DAZN pay per view and fans in the UK and Ireland can also view it on TNT Sports Box Office. Makhmudov last fought in October when he flattened Junior Anthony Wright in just 70 seconds to defend his NABF Heavyweight Title and win the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Belt. Kabayel last saw action in March when he stopped Agron Smakici in the third round to capture the vacant European Heavyweight Title.
**Watch live on DAZN this Saturday. Your first month is free.
Makhmudov vs Kabayel Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Agit Kabayel +550
- Arslanbek Makhmudov -900
MY PICK
The 34-year-old Makhmudov fights out of Montreal, Canada and makes the ring walk with a perfect record of 18-0 with 17 Ko’s. There’s no denying his power as he owns a highly-impressive 94.4 per cent knockout ratio with Carlos Takam being the only man to last the distance with him and go past the seventh round as well. In fact, 12 of his stoppages have come in the very first round. Makhmudov made his pro debut in 2018 and has just 42 rounds under his belt since due to his tremendous knockout record.
Before turning pro, he had a fine amateur career and also fought in the World Series of Boxing. Makhmudov stands just over 6-feet-5-inches tall and reportedly has an 80-inch reach. So far, the biggest wins of his career have been against Wright, Michael Wallisch,Takam, Pavel Sour, Jason Bergman, Jonathan Rice, Samuel Peter, Erkan Teper and Mariusz Wach. Since turning pro he’s also captured the NABA, WBC Continental Americas and vacant WBC Silver Heavyweight Crowns.
Kabayel isn’t very well known outside of Europe but the 31-year-old makes the ring walk with a perfect mark of 23-0 with 15 Ko’s and has fought 114 rounds since making his pro debut in 2011. He has pretty good power as his current knockout ratio sits at 65.2 per cent but he’s gone the distance in three of his past five fights even though he stopped his last two opponents. Kabayel measures 6-feet-3-inches but unfortunately there’s no reach information. However he gives up 2.5-inches in height to Makhmudov.
As far as belts go, Kabayel, who has Turkish roots, has won the vacant European Heavyweight Title twice and the vacant WBC Mediterranean Heavyweight Belt once. His biggest wins have been against Derek Chisora, Miljan Rovcanin, Andrii Rudenko, Evgenios Lazaridis, Herve Hubeaux, Kevin Johnson and Pavel Sour. This will be Kabayel’s first fight outside of Europe.
Prediction…
Both boxers have heavy hands but there’s no doubt Makhmudov possesses quite a bit more power and that’s why he’s stopped 17 of his 18 opponents. He may be seen as a one-dimensional fighter by many but so far he hasn’t really needed to display any fine boxing skills and likely won’t need to against Kabayel either. This is an interesting matchup and I’m expecting Makhmudov to take but it might go quite a bit longer than many people expect as Kabayel is no slouch in the ring.
Makhmudov’s power will be the difference.
Play Makhmudov -900 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Agit Kabayel betting • Arslanbek Makhmudov betting