![](https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/Makabu_JAck_Cruiserweight.jpg)
By James Blears
Ilunga Junior Makabu (29-2, 25KO`s) defends his World Boxing Council cruiserweight title against Badou Jack (27-3-3, 16KO`s) at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia on Sunday February 26th.
Badou originally from Sweden, has had a shorter journey to get there as he lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, while Ilunga who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, now resides in South Africa.
This fight is on the undercard of the Jake Paul Vs Tommy Fury event, but it could provide its own fireworks. Both Ilunga and Badou can punch and the fists of cruiserweights are clenched thunder. At thirty nine, there are some mumblings that Badou is getting a little long in the tooth. But as a good friend and a former world champion recently confided to me, it`s the boxer himself/herself, who knows in their heart, fiber and in their very being, when it`s time to retire. Badou has been a world champion at super middleweight and light heavyweight and as such, he`s fought the cream of the crop.
Few expected him to defeat then unbeaten WBC super- middleweight champion Anthony Direll in 2015. But he did, by convincing UD, saying: “I was in great shape and I believed in myself. All the talk doesn`t matter.”
His first defense was against George Groves who he defeated via split decision. Then, a majority draw against Lucian Bute, which was changed to a disqualification win after Lucian tested positive for Ostamine, and a majority draw against IBF champion James DeGale.
Time for growth, with Badou winning the WBA light heavyweight against Nathan Cleverly by fifth round TKO. Nathan who suffered a broken nose, retired after this bout.
Badou proved his mettle in a slugfest with WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson. They fought to a majority draw with Adonis, successfully defending his Green and Gold Belt for the ninth time. Then Badou became Captain courageous losing a UD against Marcus Browne for the WBA Interim title. He suffered a horrendous vertical cut on his forehead, after an accidental clash of heads in the seventh, which poured cascades of blood thereafter, up to and after the twelfth round. Badou insisted: “I`m a warrior. I never quit!” Then another loss by SD to WBA regular champion Jean Pascal.
Badou moved up to cruiserweight. He defeated some rather average fighters including Samuel Crossed by second round KO. His most recent fight was a SD win over Richard Rivera in which he didn`t shine.
The opportunity and occasion of becoming a world champion in three divisions, will provide inspiration and motivation to Badou Jack, who has said: “As long as you`ve got vision and determination, ain`t nothing going to stop you reaching your goals, unless you let yourself get stopped.”
Standing squarely in Badou Jack`s way is sturdy WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Junior Makabu. Ilunga aged thirty five, has also been around for some time. His debut in 2008, was one year before Badou`s pro start. Southpaw Ilunga has been champion since 2020.
Ilunga lost by TKO in his debut to Khayeni Hlungwane and some time after thereafter to Tony Bellew for the vacant WBC Absolute title. He put Tony down in round one with a left hook, but was down himself in round three and lost via third round TKO in the highly charged atmosphere of Goodison Park, Liverpool…Tony`s home turf and that of the “Toffees.”
In building his career Ilunga won the vacant WBC Silver belt in Russia, with a fifth round TKO over Dmitry Kudryashov, successfully defending it with a MD over Alexei Papin. He won the WBC Absolute title with a UD over Michal Cieslak. Michal knocked him down in the fourth. Ilunga returned the favor in the fifth, during a wild night in Kinshasa.
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