JAKARTA - WBC cruiserweight champion, Ilunga Makabu, responds to the challenge of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
After Eddy Reynoso asked Canelo a chance to challenge for the 200 pound title, the fighter from the Democratic Republic of Congo said the Mexican was going into the "jungle".
"I came for you Canelo! I was waiting for you to come too!" Makabu said in an interview with the program 'No puedes Jugar boxeo'. "Mexico boxing is tough, but we know where we are from, Africa is a big jungle too."
Makabu attends the World Boxing Council Convention in Mexico City. The cruiserweight champion said Alvarez would be welcome to his division after unifying the super-middleweight championship.
"Welcome, I'm a champion and I also like to fight with the best," said Makabu. “I accepted the challenge to fight Canelo. You are welcome to challenge me. Canelo is no small fighter, he is a superstar and I respect him. I wanted him to come to my division for the challenge. I will show him that this division is different."
The cruiserweight champion doesn't care about the opinion that Canelo is the favourite. Therefore, he confirmed that he will beat Canelo and all the Mexican fans will see it.
"I told all Africans that after Canelo challenged me I would bring victory," he said. "This fight is going to be a great fight, and we're going to show you (fans) an interesting fight."
Ilunga Makabu is a 34 year old professional boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In recent years, he's gotten stronger.
Despite losing his WBC cruiserweight title in 2016 to Tony Bellew, he was able to beat Poland's Michal Cieslak in January 2021 to earn him the WBC cruiserweight title again.
Yes, currently Makabu remains the WBC cruiserweight champion. But he will face his toughest test against Alvarez.
Boxing is in the DNA of the Makabu family. His younger brother, Martin Bakole is also a professional, in the heavyweight category.
Makabu has participated in 30 professional matches, winning 28 of them - 25 by knockout - and losing twice.
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