WBC International cruiserweight champion Ilunga “Junior” Makabu has promised to become the third African boxer in history to win the sought-after green and gold WBC belt when he steps through the ropes to oppose Briton Tony Bellew for the vacant cruiserweight belt in Liverpool on May 29.
The previous three African pugilists who won the prestigious WBC belt are Azumah “The Professor” Nelson from Ghana (featherweight and junior lightweight), Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga from Ladysmith and Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela from Gauteng. Malinga and Thobela both won the super middleweight strap.
The talented left-hander from Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based in Las Vegas under the guidance of Hall Famer Eddie Muhammad Mustafa in the state-of-the-art gym of retired boxing mega star Floyd “Money” Mayweather Junior. Mustafa is a former WBA light heavyweight champion.
Makabu said: “The WBC cruiserweight title is coming to Africa to stay for a very long time. Anyone who comes for my first defence will get killed. I’m going there like it’s the last fight in my life and then Bellew’s got a problem because I’m very, very ready.
“If he makes a mistake I’ll kill him. The way I’m preparing he can’t go up to five rounds.”
Makabu is so fired up he doesn’t even care that the fight will take place in Bellew’s home town.
“It does not matter because those people will not help him anyway.”
Makabu boasts 18 knockouts from 19 wins against a loss; sixth-rated Bellew has 16 knockouts in 26 wins, two losses and a draw.
Makabu to do it for Africa
The previous three African pugilists who won the prestigious WBC belt are Azumah “The Professor” Nelson from Ghana (featherweight and junior lightweight), Thulani “Sugar Boy” Malinga from Ladysmith and Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela from Gauteng. Malinga and Thobela both won the super middleweight strap.
The talented left-hander from Kananga in the Democratic Republic of Congo is based in Las Vegas under the guidance of Hall Famer Eddie Muhammad Mustafa in the state-of-the-art gym of retired boxing mega star Floyd “Money” Mayweather Junior. Mustafa is a former WBA light heavyweight champion.
Makabu said: “The WBC cruiserweight title is coming to Africa to stay for a very long time. Anyone who comes for my first defence will get killed. I’m going there like it’s the last fight in my life and then Bellew’s got a problem because I’m very, very ready.
“If he makes a mistake I’ll kill him. The way I’m preparing he can’t go up to five rounds.”
Makabu is so fired up he doesn’t even care that the fight will take place in Bellew’s home town.
“It does not matter because those people will not help him anyway.”
Makabu boasts 18 knockouts from 19 wins against a loss; sixth-rated Bellew has 16 knockouts in 26 wins, two losses and a draw.
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