Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will be a very interested observer, because Hall of Fame promoter Don King has announced the details for the world title rematch between WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu and the number one challenger, WBC silver champion Thabiso Mchunu.
King plans to stage the fight in his home state of Ohio on Saturday, Jan. 29.
The card will take place at the W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, OH.
At the recent World Boxing Council convention in Mexico, Canelo – who is currently the undisputed champion at super middleweight – received approval to make a tremendous jump in weight to face Makabu for the cruiserweight belt.
Canelo wants to fight for the cruiserweight title in the month of May.
King, who represents Makabu, came to an agreement with Mchunu’s representatives on the championship fight, and the winner will advance to fight Canelo.
According to King, Canelo will be ringside for the fight.
“This is going to be one action packed WBC world championship fight with a very big fight on the horizon for the winner,” said King.
“They are both warriors and this war for the recognition of the homeless will start the new year in grand style, recognizing the homeless, and helping others.”
Makabu (28-2 with 25 KOs) is from the Democratic Republic of The Congo, defended his championship in his hometown of Kinshasa as he stopped Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Durodola with two solid left hooks in the seventh round last December.
Makabu, who has won his last nine decisions, won the vacant title on Jan. 31, 2020 in winning a unanimous decision against Michael Cieslak.
Thabiso (23-5, 13 KOs), who hails from South Africa and is nicknamed “The Rock,” became the WBC silver titlist with a unanimous decision over Denis Lebedev on Dec. 21, 2019. He last defended his title and scored another unanimous victory over Evgeny Tishchenko on March 27, 2021. Thabiso has won his last four fights.
Also on the card, a ten round heavyweight sensational attraction will pit undefeated Jonathan Guidry (18-0-2, 10 KOs) of Dulac, Louisiana risking his perfect record against Alonzo Butler (34-3-2, 25 KOs) of Chattanooga, TN.
–boxingscene.com
