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thabiso mchunu

'the rock'

Nation

south africa

Date of birth

march 4, 1988 (34 Years Old)

Height

5 ft 11 (180 cm)

Reach

72 in (184 cm)

Wins

23

Losses

6

Ko's

13

thabiso mchunu bio

thabiso mchunu

'the rock'

Nation

south africa

DATE OF BIRTH​

march 4, 1988 (34 Years Old)

Height

5 FT 11 (180 CM)

REACH​

72 IN (184 CM)

wins

23

Losses

6

ko's

13

Titles Won

WBA pan-african cruiserweight
WBA (interim) pan-african cruiserweight
WBCNABF cruiserweight
WBC Silver cruiserweight

South African cruiserweight (2x)

African cruiserweight (3x)

Titles Won

WBA pan-african cruiserweight
WBA (interim) pan-african cruiserweight
WBCNABF cruiserweight
WBC Silver cruiserweight

South African cruiserweight (2x)

African cruiserweight (3x)

Background

Though Thabiso Mchunu did have at least a senior amateur career, the only fight that has been noted is a loss against future Light Heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev

thabiso mchunu background

Accomplishments

Thabiso Mchunu debuted as a professional on July 28 in 2007 where he won on points. He won his first title – the ABU Cruiserweight title – by his fifth match and continued on to win national and continental/international titles. He suffered his first TKO loss by his eleventh match in 2015, but rebounded to win another couple of matches until losing to DR Congo boxer Ilunga Makabu by KO. 

After scoring a TKO win in the second round in his next match where he won another continental title, he received an opportunity for a world title against Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO World Cruiserweight title in 2016. The match turned into a statement win for Usyk who wasn’t daunted by Mchunu’s power and eventually stopped him in the ninth round, marking Mchunu’s third loss in his career. 

Mchunu continued on and despite losing two more matches by MD and UD, his stubborn determination won through as he rose through the ranks by recovering quickly with a winning streak, earning the WBC Silver title in 2019. In 2021 he defended his title for the WBC Silver title for the first time  since the COVID-19 Outbreak. In 2022 he lost to Makabu in their rematch by a narrow split-decision.

Boxing Style

Despite a lack of a prodigious amateur career and several losses, Thabiso Mchunu has defined himself as a top Cruiserweight with his fast punches and ability to string together combo’s at a rapid pace. He has also shown decent footwork, a resilient chin and decent footwork by the way he manages to close the distance between him and his opponent quickly. Despite all this he appears to be lacking in some areas when it comes to stamina and technique.