Costa: Boxing King Canelo Álvarez Confirmed to Battle WBC Cruserweight World Champion Ilunga Makabu, What Do You Think?
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Nov 2021
Sounds a bit crazy and far reaching, yes, but Canelo’s next rumble has just been confirmed by the WBC to be against heavy-puncher WBC cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KO’s), how about that?
Makabu, the African world champion warrior born in Congo is the one standing on Canelo's way to becoming a 5-division world champion as the skilled Mexican builds a stunning legacy in boxing, following his dominating round 11 TKO win over former unbeaten titlist Caleb Plant.
You surprised, not expecting this one, right? Me too. Truly, not many fans saw this fight coming as we have all been thinking about Canelo staying at 168 to rumble unbeaten 2-time world champion David Benavidez, súper welter king Jermell Charlo or old nemesis Triple G... but no. At least not for now.
Nevertheless, Eddie Reynoso, Canelo's manager and head coach is excited about his boxer’s coming rumble against the much bigger Makabu:
"I know what he (Canelo) has done to the heavyweights he has sparred with, and that is why we have asked for the fight (against Makabu)," Reynoso said to ESPN.
"We know that Makabu is strong, but Canelo can beat him. (Even though) many may say that this is crazy.
“But they also said that it was crazy when Canelo was a junior middleweight champion looking to fight middleweights, super middleweight and light heavyweights.
"I have a lot of confidence in Canelo.
“He is very strong, and has many qualities, and I know that he is going to win his fight (against WBC cruiserweight world champion Makabu),” affirmed Reynoso, an award-winning coach, Canelo’s long-time trainer, a veteran man of boxing not afraid of taking chances.
Knowing all of the above, boxing fans now wonder if Canelo has enough punching-power and strength in him at cruiserweights?
Would Mabaku be too big and strong for the warrior hero from Guadalajara to deal with?
The rumble has just been announced and there are tons of details that need to be worked out, including when and where, but it is possible that the blockbuster fight would unfold next summer in Las Vegas, perhaps for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Meanwhile, the hard-hitting Makabu, who is about to earn the biggest pay check ever in his life, is a tough, dangerous striker who has knocked out 25 of his 30 opponents, being his battle against Canelo his 3rd world title defense.
His last title defense was a demolition round 7 TKO win over tough puncher Olanrewaju Durodola (36-8, 33 KO’s), last December. And what do you think about all of this?
#canelomakabu
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran fight reporter with a lifetime passion for the sport of boxing. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com or WhatsApp/viber +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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