Ilunga Makabu

Born on November 8, 1987, in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ilunga Makabu comes from a family deeply rooted in boxing. His father, known as Makabu Foreman, was a national boxing champion, and his grandfather also competed professionally. Makabu began boxing at the age of nine. Before fully committing to the sport, he was an avid football player and even played for his father’s second-division team. He later moved to Kinshasa to pursue both his studies and his boxing career. His younger brother, Martin Bakole, is also a professional heavyweight boxer, whom Makabu helped train.

Makabu competing primarily in domestic and regional tournaments across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Southern Africa, Although he did not participate in major international amateur competitions like the Olympics or World Championships, his performances at the local level caught the attention of trainers eventually leading to his transition into the professional ranks.

Makabu’s professional debut in 2008 ended in a shocking first-round stoppage loss, but he quickly rebounded with a string of knockout victories that. In 2016, he fought Tony Bellew for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title. Makabu floored Bellew early but was dramatically stopped in the third round. In 2019, he bounced back by defeating Dmitry Kudryashov via fifth-round stoppage in Russia, reclaiming the WBC Silver title and earning another shot at a world championship.

He captured the vacant WBC cruiserweight title in January 2020 by defeating Michał Cieślak via unanimous decision in Kinshasa. The bout was historically important —not just for the title, but because it marked the first world championship fight held in the DRC in over four decades, stirring national pride and reviving Congo’s rich boxing tradition like the Rumble In The Jungle. Makabu successfully defended the title later that year with a seventh-round knockout of Olanrewaju Durodola, and again in 2022 with a hard-fought split decision win over Thabiso Mchunu in the United States. These victories solidified him, in the eyes of many, as the true “bruiserweight” champion of the world. Makabu’s defining setback came on February 26, 2023, when he lost his WBC title to Sweden’s Badou Jack via a twelfth-round TKO. The loss exposed deeper issues, both physical and psychological

Through the Junior Makabu Foundation, he promotes youth engagement in boxing and has helped establish academies in both Kinshasa and his hometown of Kananga. His mission is to provide aspiring African fighters with the support, structure, and mentorship that he lacked during his rise.

In fact, in 2022 and early 2023, Makabu was in serious discussions to face boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez in a high-stakes, cross-division clash. While initially seen as an intriguing matchup, the fight was ultimately dismissed by many analysts. Makabu’s personality shined—whether in victory, defeat, or high-level negotiations. This hinted at a star power still waiting to be fully realized.

Makabu’s fighting style is marked by great bodywork, a low guard, and a remarkable ability to move seamlessly between high and low positions. Despite his size, he displays agility, effectively evading power shots. Operating as a southpaw, Makabu employs a strategy reminiscent of a duck, expertly slipping punches and brutalizing opponents. While he can be somewhat slower with his left hand, his boxing to uppercuts is surprisingly fast. His defensive skills include a clever jab, preventing opponents from gaining an advantageous position to throw overhand shots.

Adding a layer of unpredictability to his attacks, Makabu utilizes the same tactics against both orthodox and fellow southpaw opponents. He adeptly cuts off their movement, herding them into well-calculated follow-up punches. This strategic approach has contributed to Makabu’s success in the competitive cruiserweight division, making him a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional boxing.