Boxing News: Ilunga Makabu Welcomes Challenge Presented By Fighting Canelo Alvarez

Reigning WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu is more than happy to accept the challenge of facing Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2022.

In a conversation with the You Can’t Play Boxing podcast, Makabu is confident that he can pull off the victory over one of the greatest fighters of this generation, making his countrymen proud of him.

“I accepted [this fight] because I am sure that I will fight against the best [fighter] on the planet, and I always like to fight against the best. I will come for Canelo [Saul Alvarez], I am waiting for him to come to me too. Mexican boxing is tough, but we know where we come from, Africa is also a great jungle. I accepted the fight with Canelo [Saul Alvarez] and I want to say: 'Good luck Canelo [Saul Alvarez] and welcome to the Junior Makabu challenge,'” a defiant Makabu said as quoted by Boxing Scene.

It was reported yesterday that Alvarez’s request of moving up to cruiserweight in order to challenge for his fifth-division title has been approved by the WBC.

Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s longtime trainer, is confident that the 31-year-old Mexican pugilist can walk away with the victory against Makabu, further establishing himself as a true great in the sport.

Makabu is riding a nine-fight win streak, and the 34-year-old Congolese had five knockouts in that same stretch.

With his super fight against Makabu set for mid-2022, Alvarez will be taking some time off to recover as he stepped into the ring four times in the past 12 months.

"Canelo" made history in his last fight against Caleb Plant, stopping him in the 11th round to become the first-ever undisputed super middleweight champion.

Specific details for the event is expected to come out in the following days as fight fans are looking forward to the next challenge in Alvarez’s career while expecting a potential upset victory from Makabu.