ilunga makabu
'the junior'
Nation
Date of birth
november 8, 1987 (36 Years Old)
Height
6 ft 0 (183 cm)
Reach
74 in (188 cm)
Wins
29
Losses
4
Ko's
25
ilunga makabu
'the junior'
Nation
DATE OF BIRTH
november 8, 1987 (36 Years Old)
Height
6 FT 0 (183 CM)
REACH
74 IN (188 CM)
wins
29
Losses
4
ko's
25
Notable Opponents
Titles Won
WBC silver cruiserweight (2x)
WBC international cruiserweight (2x)
Titles Won
WBC silver cruiserweight (2x)
WBC international cruiserweight (2x)
Background
With no senior (or junior) amateur career of note, Ilunga Makabu turned professional in 2008.
Accomplishments
Ilunga Makabu started out as a professional in the Cruiserweight division, and fell to a 1st round stoppage loss to his opponent in his debut. With no amateur background and little experience, Makabu spent the next eight years gaining experience while moving up the ranks and winning a few international titles in the process. On 29 May, 2015, he received his first opportunity at a world title against Tony Bellew.
Unfortunately, his match with Bellew ended up in a quick defeat for Makabu as he fell in just the third round of the fight. Ilunga was undeterred however; he came back fairly quickly and added another couple of international belts to his assortiment until facing Michał Cieślak for the WBC World Cruiserweight title.
Fighting in his home country of the DR Congo, Makabu earned the WBC Cruiserweight belt by putting up a performance that made him win the match by unanimous decision by surviving being knocked down while being able to knock down his opponent in return.
Makabu held on the title for approximately three years over a course of three fights before losing his title to Badou Jack in his third title defense on February 26 in 2023.
Ilunga Makabu returned to the ring on November 4th in the same year where he suffered another loss to opponent Noel Gevor while contesting for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title that had ben relinquished by Badou Jack.
Boxing Style
Primarily a power puncher, Ilunga Makabu has developed further skills over the years to become a well-balanced boxer. Although he’s not the greatest defender, he has managed to turn his offense into a potent weapon that has netted him a great amount of wins, despite his lack of an amateur background.