Ilunga Makabu Record
| Total Fights | 33 |
|---|---|
| Wins | 29 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No-Contests | 0 |
| Title Wins | 1 |
|---|---|
| Title Defenses | 2 |
| Title-Fight KOs | 1 |
| KO Wins | 25 |
| KO Losses | 4 |
Featured Opponents
What is Ilunga Makabu's boxing record?
15 years and four months into his professional boxing career, Ilunga Makabu has fought 33 times with 29 wins and 4 losses.
Makabu's boxing record is currently 29-4, which includes one cruiserweight world-title win and two successful title defense fights. He has a 75.8% knockouts-to-fights ratio with 25 of his total 33 fights being knockout wins, one of which was in a title fight. Makabu has suffered four knockout losses in his career, three of which were in title fights.
His latest fight was a 3rd round TKO defeat to Noel Gevor on November 4, 2023. Makabu was fighting for the cruiserweight WBC (vacant) title. He is on a two-fight losing streak.
Some of Makabu's best fights and notable victories include wins over Olanrewaju Durodola, Dmitry Kudryashov, Michał Cieślak, Dmytro Kucher, Thabiso Mchunu, Glen Johnson, and Eric Fields.
| # | Date | Age | Opponent | Res | Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Nov 4, 2023 | 35 | Noel Gevor | Loss * | TKO3 |
| 32 | Feb 26, 2023 | 35 | Badou Jack | Loss * | TKO12 |
| 31 | Jan 29, 2022 | 34 | Thabiso Mchunu | Win * | SD |
| 30 | Dec 19, 2020 | 33 | Olanrewaju Durodola | Win * | TKO7 |
| 29 | Jan 31, 2020 | 32 | Michał Cieślak | Win * | UD |
| 28 | Aug 24, 2019 | 31 | Alexei Papin | Win | MD |
| 27 | Jun 16, 2019 | 31 | Dmitry Kudryashov | Win | TKO5 |
| 26 | Dec 8, 2018 | 31 | Giorgi Tevdorashvili | Win | KO2 |
| 25 | Oct 26, 2018 | 30 | Paata Aduashvili | Win | KO2 |
| 24 | Sep 22, 2018 | 30 | Taylor Mabika | Win | RTD4 |
| 23 | Aug 25, 2017 | 29 | Mussa Ajibu | Win | KO4 |
| 22 | Apr 28, 2017 | 29 | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | Win | KO5 |
| 21 | May 29, 2016 | 28 | Tony Bellew | Loss * | KO3 |
| 20 | May 26, 2015 | 27 | Thabiso Mchunu | Win | KO11 |
| 19 | Dec 5, 2014 | 27 | Tamas Bajzath | Win | TKO3 |
| 18 | Jun 28, 2014 | 26 | Glen Johnson | Win | TKO9 |
| 17 | Feb 1, 2014 | 26 | Ruben Angel Mino | Win | KO2 |
| 16 | Aug 31, 2013 | 25 | Eric Fields | Win | KO5 |
| 15 | Jul 13, 2013 | 25 | Dmytro Kucher | Win | MD |
| 14 | Mar 30, 2013 | 25 | Tamas Lodi | Win | TKO3 |
| 13 | Feb 16, 2013 | 25 | Gogita Gorgiladze | Win | TKO4 |
| 12 | Apr 24, 2012 | 24 | Michael Gbenga | Win | TKO5 |
| 11 | Nov 19, 2011 | 24 | Pedro Otas | Win | TKO11 |
| 10 | Jun 11, 2011 | 23 | Collice Mutizwa | Win | KO1 |
| 9 | Mar 26, 2011 | 23 | Nsitu Mbaya | Win | KO1 |
| 8 | Oct 30, 2010 | 22 | Danie Venter | Win | TKO6 |
| 7 | Mar 27, 2010 | 22 | Elvis Moyo | Win | TKO2 |
| 6 | Mar 7, 2010 | 22 | Ben Moakamela | Win | TKO2 |
| 5 | Feb 26, 2010 | 22 | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | Win | TKO2 |
| 4 | Jul 3, 2009 | 21 | Sean Santana | Win | TKO3 |
| 3 | Oct 18, 2008 | 20 | Nicholas Ramantswana | Win | TKO1 |
| 2 | Sep 13, 2008 | 20 | Elvis Moyo | Win | TKO1 |
| 1 | Jun 20, 2008 | 20 | Khayeni Hlungwane | Loss | TKO1 |
* World-title fight
Boxing career
Ilunga Makabu (The Junior) is a 36-year old Congolese professional boxer. He was born in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 8, 1987. He is a former cruiserweight world champion.
Makabu made his professional boxing debut against Khayeni Hlungwane at the age of 20 on June 20, 2008, losing to Hlungwane via 1st round TKO. He went on to win 19 consecutive fights after this loss, which included 18 wins via stoppage.
He had his first world title fight at the age of 28 on May 29, 2016 after 20 professional fights, against Tony Bellew for the WBC (vacant) title. He lost to Bellew via 3rd round KO.
Makabu has won one world title at cruiserweight. For all the details about Makabu's world title wins and defenses refer to the "Championships" section below.
Makabu has had a total of four losses in his professional boxing career so far.
His most recent fight was a cruiserweight bout against Armenian boxer Noel Gevor on November 4, 2023 for the vacant cruiserweight WBC title. Makabu lost the fight via 3rd round TKO. It's been 5 months and 21 days since this fight.
Championships
Makabu has had a total of six world-title fights till today, which includes winning one world title and two successful title defenses. He won three of these fights and lost three.
Title Wins
Ilunga Makabu has fought for a cruiserweight world title in three fights and won once. Till today, he has won one cruiserweight belt.
| Date | Opponent | Division | Titles Won | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2020 | Michał Cieślak | Cruiserweight | WBC* | UD |
Title Defenses
Ilunga Makabu has had three cruiserweight world-title defense fights. He won two of them and lost once.
Following is the table of his successful title defense fights, the next section has the fights where he lost his titles.
| Date | Opponent | Division | Titles Defended | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2022 | Thabiso Mchunu | Cruiserweight | WBC | SD |
| Dec 19, 2020 | Olanrewaju Durodola | Cruiserweight | WBC | TKO |
Title Losses
Ilunga Makabu has lost one world-title defense fight, and lost one title in the fight.
| Date | Opponent | Division | Titles Lost | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2023 | Badou Jack | Cruiserweight | WBC | TKO |
Highlights
Makabu has fought a total of 33 times till today, which includes 6 world-title fights at the cruiserweight division. These four fights are the highlight of his career.
July 13, 2013: Ilunga Makabu puts on the first remarkable performance of his career, defeating Dmytro Kucher via 12th round majority decision.
May 29, 2016: In his first world-title fight, Ilunga Makabu loses to Tony Bellew via 3rd round KO. He was fighting for the WBC (vacant) cruiserweight title.
June 16, 2019: Ilunga Makabu beats Dmitry Kudryashov via 5th round TKO.
January 31, 2020: Makabu wins the WBC cruiserweight title from Michał Cieślak, by beating Cieślak via 12 round unanimous decision.
FAQs
How many KOs does Ilunga Makabu have on his record?
Makabu has knocked out 25 of his 33 opponents so far. His KO ratio currently stands at 75.8%. Of his total 29 wins, 25 of them have been via KO (86.2%).
What was Ilunga Makabu's first world title win?
Makabu's first world-title win was the WBC (vacant) belt at cruiserweight. He defeated Michał Cieślak via 12 round unanimous decision to win the title.
How many world titles did Ilunga Makabu win?
As of April 2024, Makabu has won one world title at cruiserweight.
How many title defenses did Ilunga Makabu make?
Makabu has had a total of three title defense fights so far. He was successful two times and lost one time.