The German champion frustrated Chisora with his jab and nimble footwork as he retained his European heavyweight title with scores of 115-113 and 115-114 to earn a majority decision, with the third judge scoring it a 114-114 draw.
Chisora cut a frustrated figure as he continually walked into right-hands and uppercuts during the 12-rounds as he suffered a damaging loss to his world title ambitions.
'Del Boy' immediately started on the front foot, but the champion, boxed well in reverse, answered with hooks and jabs of his own to edge the opening session.
Both fighters fought at close-quarters in the second, with Kabayel finding a home with a neat uppercut and double-jab as the Finchley fighter struggled to find any rhythm to his work.
Chisora started the third in more positive fashion though, landing a right uppercut followed by a clubbing right-hand. Kabayel had success with the same shot of his own, but the continual pressure from 'Del Boy' in the pocket and a left hook gave the Brit a brief foothold in the contest.
However, Kabayel stamped his authority on the fight from then on, catching Chisora with a cluster of punches in the fourth and fifth as the British fighter pressed forward in vain.
A sharp right hand from the German in the seventh, accurate jabs in the eighth, and a left hook to the body in the ninth further illustrated the Kabayel's dominance.
Chisora started to pour the pressure on in the championship rounds and had the better of the 11th and 12th, but the fight had slipped away from him as he suffered a damaging loss.
Dimitry Bivol maintained his status as one of the most exciting fighters in the world after a stunning knockout victory over Trent Broadhurst inside one round.
The Russian - who was elevated to WBA light-heavyweight champion status after Badou Jack vacated the title earlier this year - further illustrated his destructive power after registering the 10th knockout victory of his career in only 12 fights.
Bivol immediately started on the front foot, shooting out his piston-like jab to keep Broadhurst at bay. The challenger was then sent sprawling to the floor mid-way through the session, but the referee adjudged it to be a slip.
However, Bivol left the end result in no doubt after landing a devastating right hand with seconds remaining of the opener, forcing the referee wave the fight off.
"Maybe the best punch of my career," said Bivol. "I like my right hand, it's very strong.
"Everybody wants to see the knockout.
"I hope people enjoyed the fight and were excited."
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