On December 11, 2021, two of the top light heavyweight boxers in the world, Ilunga Makabu and Badou Jack, faced off at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was a highly anticipated matchup between two skilled fighters with impressive records.
SUNDAY,26 FEBRUARY 2023
TIME 2:00 PM ET
Title fight:
Ilunga Makabu vs. Badou Jack
12 rounds
Makabu
WBC cruiserweight title
Ilunga Makabu, a Congolese boxer, had a record of 28 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw going into the fight. He was known for his power and had knocked out his last five opponents. Makabu was looking to continue his winning streak and cement his status as one of the top light heavyweight boxers in the world.
Badou Jack, a Swedish boxer, had a record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws. He was a former two-division world champion and had faced some of the top boxers in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and James DeGale. Jack was looking to bounce back from a loss in his previous fight and prove that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
From the opening bell, Makabu came out aggressively, throwing heavy punches and trying to land the knockout blow early. Jack, however, was able to use his superior footwork and technical boxing ability to avoid most of Makabu’s punches.
As the fight progressed, Jack began to take control, landing clean shots and forcing Makabu to retreat. Makabu was still able to land some heavy punches of his own, but it was clear that Jack was the more skilled boxer in the ring.
In the later rounds, Makabu began to tire, and Jack was able to take advantage, landing a flurry of punches and forcing Makabu into the ropes. Makabu was able to survive the onslaught, but it was clear that Jack was ahead on the scorecards.
In the final round, Makabu came out swinging, desperate to land the knockout blow and secure the victory. Jack, however, was able to weather the storm and continued to use his technical boxing ability to keep Makabu at bay.
In the end, Badou Jack was declared the winner by unanimous decision, improving his record to 25 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws. The victory was a significant milestone in his boxing career and showed that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
For Ilunga Makabu, the loss was a setback in his career, but it did not diminish his reputation as one of the top light heavyweight boxers in the world. He has since expressed his desire to continue fighting and is likely to face another high-profile opponent in the near future.
The fight between Ilunga Makabu and Badou Jack was a highly entertaining matchup between two fighters with very different styles. While Makabu came out aggressively, trying to land the knockout blow early, Jack was able to use his technical boxing ability to outbox Makabu and secure the victory.
The fight also highlighted the importance of footwork and technical skill in the world of boxing. While power is certainly an important factor in the sport, it is not always enough to win a fight. Boxers must also have the ability to move effectively in the ring, read their opponents’ movements, and land clean shots.
Overall, the fight between Ilunga Makabu and Badou Jack was a significant moment in the world of boxing. While Jack emerged as the victor, both fighters showed that they had the skills and determination to compete at the highest level. It will be interesting to see how their careers progress in the future and whether they will continue to be major players in the world of light heavyweight boxing.