Ilunga Makabu


Junior Ilunga Makabu is a Congolese-South African-French professional boxer. He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2020 to 2023.
As of June 2022, he is ranked as the world's second-best active cruiserweight by BoxRec, and Fourth by The Ring magazine, and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. He is the older brother of heavyweight boxer Martin Bakole.

Professional career

Early career

His professional career began on 20 June 2008, when he lost four round bouts fighting with the South African boxer Khayeni Hlungwane. The fight was held at the Carousel Hotel & Casino in Temba in the province of North-West. On 13 September 2008, he achieved his first victory, defeating by technical knockout in the first round the representative of Zimbabwe Elvis Moyo. On 19 November 2011 he faced Brazilian Pedro Otas. A twelve-round fight was organized at Monte Casino in Johannesburg, starring Michael Buffer. The dominant Makabu ended the duel by technical knockout in the eleventh round.

WBC Silver cruiserweight champion

Makabu vs. Kudryashov

Makabu was scheduled to fight Dmitry Kudryashov for the vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title on 16 June 2019, at the KRK Uralets in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The two fighters had a combined 46 knockouts in 47 total fights, which led many media outlets to predict that the fight would end in a finish. Makabu won the fight by a fifth-round technical knockout. Although Kudryashov wasn't knocked down, the stream of undefended punches near the end of the fifth round forced the referee to step in and stop the bout.

Makabu vs. Papin

On 12 July 2019, rumors surfaced that Makabu would defend his WBC Silver title against the undefeated Alexei Papin, who was the #14 ranked IBF cruiserweight contender. On 30 July, the WBC confirmed that the fight would take place on the Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde undercard, on 24 August 2019, at the Traktor Sport Palace in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Makabu won the fight by majority decision, with two judges scoring the fight 115–113 in his favor, while the third judge scored it as a 113–113 draw. Papin flagged in the mid-rounds, and was nearly finished in the eight round and twelfth rounds.

WBC cruiserweight champion

Makabu vs. Cieślak

Makabu was scheduled to face the undefeated Michał Cieślak for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title on 31 January 2020, at the Temporary Arena in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cieślak was originally scheduled to fight Nuri Seferi on 20 December 2019, before he withdrew from that bout to face Makabu for the WBC title on 18 January 2020. Cieslak was ranked #2 by the WBC at cruiserweight. However, due to some disagreements between Makabu and the WBC, the fight was postponed to 31 January. Cieślak faced further problems on the day before the fight, as both he and his promoters were robbed at the hotel they were staying at in Kinshasa.
Cieślak had a great start to the fight and appeared close to finishing Makabu in the third round, only for the round to end a full minute early. Makabu rebounded in the fourth round, knocking Cieślak down with two heavy blows, one of which was a blatant uncalled rabbit punch. Cieślak returned the favor in the fifth round, as Makabu was ruled to be in a state of knockdown after he touched the canvas with his glove. Makabu was awarded the unanimous decision after twelve rounds, with scores of 114–112, 115–111 and 116–111.

Makabu vs. Durodola

Makabu made his first defense of his WBC cruiserweight title against the reigning African cruiserweight champion Olanrewaju Durodola at the Studio Mama Angebi in Kinshasa, Congo. Durodola was ranked #3 by the WBC at cruiserweight. He won the fight by a come-from-behind seventh-round knockout. Makabu appeared to be down on the scorecards after the first six rounds were fought, but rallied back to knock Durodola down with a pair of left hooks with a minute to go in the seventh round. Although Durodola managed to beat the eight-count, the referee nonetheless decided to wave off the fight.

Makabu vs. Mchunu

At the WBC Convention on 15 November 2021 in Mexico City, the organization approved the request of Canelo Álvarez's trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, to have Álvarez challenge Makabu for his WBC cruiserweight title. Álvarez has never competed at cruiserweight, so Reynoso needed to petition the WBC to order the title fight. The cruiserweight limit was 200 pounds, but it had recently been reduced to 190 pounds due to the introduction of bridgerweight. The fight was expected to take place in May 2022.
Makabu was instead booked to make the second defense of his WBC title against mandatory challenger Thabiso Mchunu on 29 January 2022, at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. Mchunu was the number 1 ranked cruiserweight by the WBC and fourth best cruiserweight in the world according to The Ring magazine. The winner of the bout was granted permission to face Canelo Álvarez by the WBC, at the request of Alvarez's team. The fight headlined a Don King promoted card, which was independently broadcast on Fite TV. Makabu won the fight by split decision. Two of the judge scored the bout in his favor, while the third judge scored it 115–113 for Mchunu. The split decision was seen as controversial, as many news outlets scored the fight for Mchunu. However, Makabu was confident that he had done enough to secure the victory and called out the undisputed super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez in his post-fight interview, stating: "My next fight is with Saul Canelo - I'm going to box and knock you out".

Makabu vs. Jack

Makabu was expected to make his third title defense against the WBA (Regular) cruiserweight champion Ryad Merhy. The fight was scheduled as the main event of a card which took place 30 September 2022, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, Congo. On 19 July 2022, Merhy was ordered by the WBA to face their "Super" cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian, while Merhy stated his desire to move up to bridgerweight on 8 August, as he was finding it difficult to make the cruiserweight limit.
On 9 December, it was revealed that Makabu would make his third title defense against the WBC Silver champion Noel Mikaelian. The bout was expected to take place at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, Florida, on 21 January 2023. The fight was postponed on 5 January 2023, for undisclosed reasons. Makabu was instead scheduled to defend his title against the two-weight world champion Badou Jack on 26 February 2023, on the Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury undercard. Makabu lost the fight by a twelfth-round technical knockout.

Later cruiserweight career

Makabu vs. Mikaelian

On 17 September 2023, it was revealed that the reigning WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack had vacated his title in order to contest the sanctioning body's bridgerweight championship. Don King Promotions announced, one week later, that Makabu would face the mandatory challenger Noel Mikaelian for the now vacant belt. The fight took place on 4 November 2023, at the Casino Miami Jai Alai in Miami, Florida. Makabu lost the fight by a third-round technical knockout.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
34Win30–4Wagdy AttiaKO3, 1:0021 Dec 2024
33Loss29–4Noel MikaelianTKO3, 1:004 Nov 2023For vacant WBC cruiserweight title
32Loss29–3Badou JackTKO12, 0:5426 Feb 2023Lost WBC cruiserweight title
31Win29–2Thabiso MchunuSD1229 Jan 2022Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.Retained WBC cruiserweight title
30Win28–2Olanrewaju DurodolaTKO7, 0:5519 Dec 2020Studio Mama Angebi, Kinshasa, CongoRetained WBC cruiserweight title
29Win27–2Michał Cieślak1231 Jan 2020Temporary Arena, Kinshasa, CongoWon vacant WBC cruiserweight title
28Win26–2Alexei PapinMD1224 Aug 2019Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, RussiaRetained WBC Silver cruiserweight title
27Win25–2Dmitry KudryashovTKO5, 2:3616 Jun 2019KRK Uralets, Yekaterinburg, RussiaWon vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title
26Win24–2Giorgi TevdorashviliKO2, 1:558 Dec 2018Euskirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
25Win23–2Paata AduashviliKO2 26 Oct 2018Salle du Monte d’Or, Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or, France
24Win22–2Taylor Mabika4, 3:0022 Sep 2018Grand Hôtel de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, CongoWon WBC International cruiserweight title
23Win21–2Mussa AjibuKO4 25 Aug 2017Rainbow Towers Conference Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
22Win20–2Chamunorwa GonorendaKO5 28 Apr 2017Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
21Loss19–2Tony BellewKO3, 1:2029 May 2016Goodison Park, Liverpool, EnglandFor vacant WBC cruiserweight title
20Win19–1Thabiso MchunuKO11, 1:5626 May 2015International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa
19Win18–1Tamas BajzathTKO3, 2:1505 Dec 2014Centre Sportif Obercorn, Differdange, Luxembourg
18Win17–1Glen JohnsonTKO9, 2:4028 Jun 2014Grand Hôtel de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, CongoWon WBC International cruiserweight title
17Win16–1Ruben Angel MinoKO2, 1:5301 Feb 2014Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
16Win15–1Eric FieldsKO5, 1:5931 Aug 2013Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaRetained WBC Silver cruiserweight title
15Win14–1Dmytro Kucher1213 Jul 2013Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, MonacoWon vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title
14Win13–1Tamas LodiTKO3, 1:2930 Mar 2013Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
13Win12–1Gogita GorgiladzeTKO4, 1:4916 Feb 2013Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaWon vacant IBF Youth cruiserweight title
12Win11–1Michael GbengaTKO5, 2:5324 Apr 2012Carnival City Casino, Brakpan, South Africa
11Win10–1Pedro OtasTKO11, 2:5419 Nov 2011Monte Casino, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon vacant WBF cruiserweight title
10Win9–1Collice MutizwaKO1 11 Jun 2011Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
9Win8–1Nsitu Mbaya1 26 Mar 2011Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
8Win7–1Danie VenterTKO6 30 Oct 2010Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
7Win6–1Elvis MoyoTKO2 27 Mar 2010Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
6Win5–1Ben MoakamelaTKO2 07 Mar 2010Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
5Win4–1Chamunorwa GonorendaTKO2 26 Feb 2010Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
4Win3–1Sean SantanaTKO3 03 Jul 2009Nirvana Secondary School, Lenasia, South Africa
3Win2–1Nicholas RamantswanaTKO1 18 Oct 2008Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
2Win1–1Elvis MoyoTKO1 13 Sep 2008Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa
1Loss0–1Khayeni Hlungwane1, 0:2920 Jun 2008Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa