Ilunga Makabu
Career, Record, Stats
Ilunga Makabu (The Junior) is a 37-year-old Congolese professional boxer. He is a former cruiserweight world champion. 16 years, 4 months, and 27 days into his career, Makabu's record stands at 29-4, which includes 25 wins via KO, 1 of which was in a world-title fight.
Ilunga Makabu's Boxing Career
Ilunga Makabu was born in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 8, 1987. He made his professional debut at the age of 20 years on June 20, 2008 against Khayeni Hlungwane. Makabu lost to Hlungwane via 1st round TKO. Not a good start!
Makabu got his first shot at a world title at the age of 28 after 20 professional fights. On May 29, 2016 Makabu challenged Tony Bellew's WBC cruiserweight title but lost via 3rd round KO.
He became a world champion on January 31, 2020 at the age of 32 years, after by defeating Michał Cieślak in a clash for the vacant WBC cruiserweight champion. Makabu won the fight via 12-round unanimous decision. This was his 29th fight as a professional.
Makabu's latest fight was a 3rd-round TKO loss to Noel Gevor at age 35, on November 4, 2023, in which he .
Some of Ilunga Makabu's best fights so far have been against Michał Cieślak, Thabiso Mchunu, Dmytro Kucher, Dmitry Kudryashov, Alexei Papin, and Glen Johnson. For a complete list of Makabu's best fights and their details, refer to "Best fights of Ilunga Makabu".
Makabu has 4 losses on his record. For details about these losses refer to "Ilunga Makabu Losses".
Ilunga Makabu's Boxing Record
| # | Date | Age | Opponent | Res | Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Nov 04, 2023 | 35 | 
Noel Gevor 33 26-2 | loss | TKO 3 |
32 | Feb 26, 2023 | 35 | 
Badou Jack 39 27-3-3 | loss | TKO 12 |
31 | Jan 29, 2022 | 34 | 
Thabiso Mchunu 33 23-5 | win | SD 12 |
30 | Dec 19, 2020 | 33 |  Olanrewaju Durodola | win | TKO 7 |
29 | Jan 31, 2020 | 32 | 
Michał Cieślak 30 19-0 | win | UD 12 |
28 | Aug 24, 2019 | 31 | 
Alexei Papin 31 11-0 | win | MD 12 |
27 | Jun 16, 2019 | 31 | 
Dmitry Kudryashov 33 23-2 | win | TKO 5 |
26 | Dec 08, 2018 | 31 | Giorgi Tevdorashvili | win | KO 2 |
25 | Oct 26, 2018 | 30 | Paata Aduashvili | win | KO 2 |
24 | Sep 22, 2018 | 30 | Taylor Mabika | win | RTD 4 |
23 | Aug 25, 2017 | 29 | Mussa Ajibu | win | KO 4 |
22 | Apr 28, 2017 | 29 | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | win | KO 5 |
21 | May 29, 2016 | 28 | 
Tony Bellew 33 26-2-1 | loss | KO 3 |
20 | May 16, 2015 | 27 |
Thabiso Mchunu 27 16-1 | win | KO 11 |
19 | Dec 05, 2014 | 27 | Tamas Bajzath | win | TKO 3 |
18 | Jun 28, 2014 | 26 | 
Glen Johnson 45 54-18-2 | win | TKO 9 |
17 | Feb 01, 2014 | 26 | Ruben Angel Mino | win | KO 2 |
16 | Aug 31, 2013 | 25 | Eric Fields | win | KO 5 |
15 | Jul 13, 2013 | 25 | 
Dmytro Kucher 28 21-0 | win | MD 12 |
14 | Mar 30, 2013 | 25 | Tamas Lodi | win | TKO 3 |
13 | Feb 16, 2013 | 25 | Gogita Gorgiladze | win | TKO 4 |
12 | Apr 24, 2012 | 24 | Michael Gbenga | win | TKO 5 |
11 | Nov 19, 2011 | 24 | Pedro Otas | win | TKO 11 |
10 | Jun 11, 2011 | 23 | Collice Mutizwa | win | KO 1 |
9 | Mar 26, 2011 | 23 | Nsitu Mbaya | win | KO 1 |
8 | Oct 30, 2010 | 22 | Danie Venter | win | TKO 6 |
7 | Mar 27, 2010 | 22 | Elvis Moyo | win | TKO 2 |
6 | Mar 07, 2010 | 22 | Ben Moakamela | win | TKO 2 |
5 | Feb 26, 2010 | 22 | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | win | TKO 2 |
4 | Jul 03, 2009 | 21 | Sean Santana | win | TKO 3 |
3 | Oct 18, 2008 | 20 | Nicholas Ramantswana | win | TKO 1 |
2 | Sep 13, 2008 | 20 | Elvis Moyo | win | TKO 1 |
1 | Jun 20, 2008 | 20 | Khayeni Hlungwane | loss | TKO 1 |