WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Junior Makabu (pictured) will defend his title against former supermiddleweight champion Badou Jack on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia as part of the Jake Paul-Tommy Fury card. Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) will defend his title for the first time in a year.  He last fought Jan. 29th last year, winning a split decision over Thabiso Mchunu.  That victory was only his second defense of his title since Dec. 19, 2020. Makabu won the vacant title on Jan. 31, 2020 in South Africa via unanimous decision over Michael Cieslak  and defended the title 11 months later on Dec. 19th and knocked out Olanrewaju Duradola in Kinshasa. Makabu, 35, who hails from the Republic of the Congo, has won 10 consecutive fights since his second career loss coming in a failed title bid vs.Tony Bellew. The bout was a slugfest as Makabu knocked Bellew down with a left hook in the first round.

 

Jack (27-3-3, 16 KOs), 39, who hails from Sweden, has won five consecutive fights, his last victory a split decision over undefeated Richard Riviera on Aug. 20, 2022. Jack’s last major fight was his last loss on Dec. 28, 2019 when he fought Jean Pascal for the WBA regular light heavyweight championship.  Jack lost a close split decision with two of the judges seeing the fight 114-112 for Pascal and the other judge seeing it in favor of Jack at 114-112.

 

Here are quotes from the final press conference: 

 

Ilunga Makabu

 

"I just want Badou to keep one thing in mind. I'm going to break your nose. I'm going to break your chin. I'm going to break your ribs. Thank you."

 

"I've been a world champion for many years. I'm a dangerous boxer. There is no way Badou can take my belt. I'll go back home with the belt and still be the WBC champion of the world."

 

Badou Jack

 

"I'm here to take his belt, to win. I'm here to become the first Muslim fighter to become a world champion in Saudi. So, I am here to make history. Everybody's got a plan until they get hit. I'm glad that he is confident."

 

"I still feel young. I feel fresh. I want to keep going, and I am here to make history. Some people, they win a title in one weight class. I won in two weight classes. Now, I'm coming for the third. And new!"