WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KOs) got the opportunity to meet with his country's president, Félix Tshisekedi, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Makabu received the honor after making his first title defense by knocking out Olanrewaju Durodola in the seventh round in late December in Kinshasa, his nation's capital. Makabu had a difficult path to achieve his dream. In 2016 he fell against Englishman Tony Bellew, in a WBC title bid despite dropping Bellew in the first round. However, Makabu refused to give up. He had to start all over again to work his way to the world title. His defining moment came almost a year ago, January 31, 2020, when Makabu defeated Polands Michal Cieslak in a bout for the vacant cruiserweight world title. Makabu brought the gloves with which he defeated Durodola and gave them to the president.