Junior Ilunga Makabu is a professional boxer of Congolese and South African ethnicity who has held the WBC cruiserweight title since January 2020, after competing for the title in 2016.
He is the world’s second-best active cruiserweight according to BoxRec, third by The Ring magazine, and fourth by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board as of November 2021. Martin Bakole, a heavyweight fighter, is his older brother.
On June 20, 2008, he made his professional debut and lost against South African boxer Khayeni Hlungwane (by technical knockout in the first round).
The battle took place in Temba, North-West Province, at the Carousel Hotel & Casino.
On September 13, 2008, he won his maiden fight by technical knockout over Zimbabwe’s Elvis Moyo in the first round.
He fought Pedro Otas of Brazil on November 19, 2011. At the Monte Casino in Johannesburg, Michael Buffer competed in a twelve-round fight, and the powerful Makabu won by technical knockout in the eleventh round.
Makabu’s father, according to rights, was a DRC champion; he was born into a boxing family and began training when he was nine years old.
Ilunga belongs to the Cruiserweight class and has a reach of 188 cm. He has an 89% win with the Knock Out.
Table of Contents
Ilunga Makabu Profile:
Before moving further, let’s have a look at Ilunga’s profile.
| Full name | Junior Makabu Ilunga |
| Common name | The Junior |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | November 8, 1987 |
| Place of birth | Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Age | 34 year old |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Father name | Not available |
| Mother name | Not available |
| Siblings | Martin Bakole, Martin Ilunga |
| Nationality | Congolese |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married ( Two wives) |
| Wife name | Not available |
| Children | Not available |
| Profession | Professional Boxer |
| Trainer | Nick Durandt (former) |
| Award | World Boxing Council World Cruiser Title |
| Manager | Tarik Saadi |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Salary | Under review |
| Source of income | Boxing |
| Net worth | 12 million dollar |
| Social Media |
Ilunga Makabu Family:
Ilunga has never mentioned his parents’ names to the media, so their names are still unknown; he has two siblings, and their names are Martin Bakole and Martin Ilunga.
His younger brother is also a boxer in the heavyweight class.
Ilunga Makabu Wife:
Ilunga was Married two times in his life and still living with his two wives at his home. But he has not revealed their names to any media or social platform.
Before becoming a professional, he married his first wife.
After realizing that the boxing scene in South Africa was booming, he transferred his life there; he was there, he met his second wife.
He also has never mentioned his children to the media.
Ilunga Makabu Body Measurements:
Makabu is 34 years old. He hаs a perfect height of 6 fееt and weighs around 90.72 kilograms. His eye color is Black, and his hair is Black. Being a fitness buff, his body is well maintained, fit and active.
| Height | 6 ft 0inch (1.83m) |
| Weight | 90.72 kg |
| Weight class | Cruiserweight |
| Reach | 74” (188 cm) |
| Knock out | 89% |
| Eye color | Black |
| Hair color | Black |
| Body | Fit and active |
Ilunga Makabu Social Media Presence:
Makabu’s Instagram id is @ilungamakabu.official, with 114 posts and 15.4k followers.
The sportsman prefers to keep things professional by publishing most of his tournaments and forthcoming fights on social media accounts.
Ilunga’s Next Fight:
Makabu’s next fight will be on May 7, 2022, against Saul Alvarez.
Ilunga Makabu vs. Saul Alvarez :
In the upcoming fight, the warrior Ilunga Makabu will meet Canelo Alvezar, the undisputed middleweight champion, and a purse bid will be ordered if both sides can’t agree on a deal.
The battle, according to reports, will take place in the first half of next year. If Canelo wins this session, he will become the world champion in five divisions.
Ilunga Makabu’s last fight:
The last fight of Ilunga Makabu took place on December 19, 2020 against Olanrewaju Durodola.
Makabu won by technical knockout (TKO).
Ilunga Makabu Achievement:
First and only World Champion from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Professional boxing record:
| 30 fights, 28 wins, and 2 loss |
| By decision | 3 win and 0 loses |
| By knockout(KO) | 25 win, 2 loses |
| Number | Opponent | Date | Record | Result |
| 1. | Khayeni Hlungwane | 20 June 2008 | 0-1 | Loss |
| 2. | Elvis Moyo | 13 September 2008 | 1-1 | Win |
| 3. | Nicholas Ramantswana | 18 October 2008 | 2-1 | Win |
| 4. | Sean Santana | 3 July 2009 | 3-1 | Win |
| 5. | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | 26 Feburary 2010 | 4-1 | Win |
| 6. | Ben Moakamela | 7 March 2010 | 5-1 | Win |
| 7. | Elvis Moyo | 27 March 2010 | 6-1 | Win |
| 8. | Danie Venter | 30 October 2010 | 7-1 | Win |
| 9. | Nsitu Mbaya | 26 Mar 2011 | 8-1 | Win |
| 10. | Collice Mutizwa | 11 June 2011 | 9-1 | Win |
| 11. | Pedro Otas | 19 November 2011 | 10-1 | Win |
| 12. | Michael Gbenga | 24 April 2012 | 11-1 | Win |
| 13. | Gogita Gorgiladze | 16 February 2013 | 12-1 | Win |
| 14. | Tamas Lodi | 30 March 2013 | 13-1 | Win |
| 15. | Dmytro Kucher | 13 July 2013 | 14-1 | Win |
| 16. | Eric Fields | 31 August 2013 | 15-1 | Win |
| 17. | Ruben Angel Mino | 1 February 2014 | 16-1 | Win |
| 18. | Glen Johnson | 28 June 2014 | 17-1 | Win |
| 19. | Tamas Bajzath | 5 December 2014 | 18-1 | Win |
| 20. | Thabiso Mchunu | 26 May 2015 | 19-1 | Win |
| 21. | Tony Bellew | 29 May 2016 | 19-2 | Loss |
| 22. | Chamunorwa Gonorenda | 28 April 2017 | 20-2 | Win |
| 23. | Mussa Ajibu | 25 August 2017 | 21-2 | Win |
| 24. | Taylor Mabika | 22 September 2018 | 22-2 | Win |
| 25. | Paata Aduashvili | 26 October 2018 | 23-2 | Win |
| 26. | Giorgi Tevdorashvili | 8 December 2018 | 24-2 | Win |
| 27. | Dmitry Kudryashov | 16 June 2019 | 25-2 | Win |
| 28. | Alexei Papin | 24 August 2019 | 26-2 | Win |
| 29. | Michał Cieślak | 31 January 2020 | 27-2 | Win |
| 30. | Olanrewaju Durodola | 19 December 2020 | 28-2 | Win |
Some Facts about Ilunga Makabu:
- He isn’t afraid to brag about his impressive statistics, and he proudly displays his championship belts whenever the opportunity arises. Not many people can brag about their ring prowess, and so rightfully.
- Ilunga’s brother Martin Bakole is a heavyweight Boxer.
- He is a follower of Christianity.
- He exercises regularly to stay fit and active.
- Ilunga is one of the most well-known Congolese celebrities.