Makabu wins in Ohio

World Boxing Council cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) successfully defended his title by defeating Thabiso Mchunu (23-6, 13 KOs) by split decision over twelve rounds on Saturday, in Warren, Ohio.

The fight was close, but Makabu did enough in the eyes of judges, Jamie Garayua 116-112, and Steve Weisfeld 115-113. Nathan Palmer scored it 115-113 for Mchunu.

Following this victory, Makabu could defend his title, against Mexican Superstar, Saul “Canelo” Álvarez in May.

“Today I did not come for the knockout. I just came to prove that I can box. I am going to box and beat Canelo in my next fight,” Makabu commented.

In his US debut, the 34-year-old Makabu pressed action against his challenger and successfully followed through on the plan. He’s now won ten fights in a row.

“We were leading the fight comfortably,” Makubu’s trainer Damien Durandt said. “Junior Makabu boxed wonderfully. We knew what Mchunu was about. He brought some things that surprised us. I told Junior not to go for the knockout. If he comes, we’ll take it. All he wanted were points.”

Mchunu, who captured the WBC silver title with a unanimous decision over Denis Lebedev on December 21, 2019, saw his four-fight winning streak come to an end.