Ilunga Makabu Retains Belt And Looks Forward To Canelo Fight
When undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (57-1-2, 38ko) targeted WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga “Junior” Makabu (28-2, 25ko), immediately it made the little known champion famous. However, mandatory challenger Thabiso Mchunu stepped in to say, “not so fast”.
A LOOK BACK INTO THE HISTORY
The boxing community was in a frenzy when Alvarez wanted to capture a title in a fifth division. Moreover, the WBC gave the fight their seal of approval.
“The WBC granted Saul Alvarez a special permission to challenge the WBC champion in the cruiserweight division in 2022.”
World Boxing Council
Everything was set and moving forwards with the plan to stage the fight on the traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend. That is until mandatory challenger Thabiso Mchunu crashed the party looking for revenge.
MCHUNU BREAKS UP THE PARTY WANTING REVENGE
Makabu once defeated Mchunu when they both were coming up the ranks back in 2015. Mchunu has been waiting a long time to avenge that loss. In March 2021, he defeated Evgeny Tishchenko in a WBC eliminator to complete a six-year journey to earn his shot at redemption. There was no way he was going to sit on the sidelines and watch all his hard work go to waste.
To placate Mchunu, Team Canelo offered him step-aside money to allow the fight with Makabu to proceed. Unfortunately, Mchunu did not budge, resulting in his grudge match with Makabu taking place. A lot was on the line in their January 29 bout, and the bad blood between these two men was at an all-time high.
THE CALLOUT AFTER VICTORY
As both men entered the ring at the Packard Music Hall in Ohio, the boxing community was paying close attention. After twelve long rounds, Makabu retained the title via a split decision victory.
During the post-fight interview, a very happy Makabu announced that he will be fighting Alvarez next.
“I did not come to knock him out, I just come to box […] because my next fight with Saul Canelo, I’m going to box and knock you out baby!”
Ilunga Makabu, WBC cruiserweight champion
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By: Garrisson Bland
