Philippines, 20 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Costa: Boxing King Canelo Álvarez Confirmed to Battle WBC Cruserweight World Champion Ilunga Makabu, What Do You Think?


PhilBoxing.com




Sounds a bit crazy and far reaching, yes, but Canelo’s next rumble has just been confirmed by the WBC to be against heavy-puncher WBC cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KO’s), how about that?

Makabu, the African world champion warrior born in Congo is the one standing on Canelo's way to becoming a 5-division world champion as the skilled Mexican builds a stunning legacy in boxing, following his dominating round 11 TKO win over former unbeaten titlist Caleb Plant.

You surprised, not expecting this one, right? Me too. Truly, not many fans saw this fight coming as we have all been thinking about Canelo staying at 168 to rumble unbeaten 2-time world champion David Benavidez, súper welter king Jermell Charlo or old nemesis Triple G... but no. At least not for now.

Nevertheless, Eddie Reynoso, Canelo's manager and head coach is excited about his boxer’s coming rumble against the much bigger Makabu:

"I know what he (Canelo) has done to the heavyweights he has sparred with, and that is why we have asked for the fight (against Makabu)," Reynoso said to ESPN.

"We know that Makabu is strong, but Canelo can beat him. (Even though) many may say that this is crazy.

“But they also said that it was crazy when Canelo was a junior middleweight champion looking to fight middleweights, super middleweight and light heavyweights.

"I have a lot of confidence in Canelo.

“He is very strong, and has many qualities, and I know that he is going to win his fight (against WBC cruiserweight world champion Makabu),” affirmed Reynoso, an award-winning coach, Canelo’s long-time trainer, a veteran man of boxing not afraid of taking chances.



Knowing all of the above, boxing fans now wonder if Canelo has enough punching-power and strength in him at cruiserweights?

Would Mabaku be too big and strong for the warrior hero from Guadalajara to deal with?

The rumble has just been announced and there are tons of details that need to be worked out, including when and where, but it is possible that the blockbuster fight would unfold next summer in Las Vegas, perhaps for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Meanwhile, the hard-hitting Makabu, who is about to earn the biggest pay check ever in his life, is a tough, dangerous striker who has knocked out 25 of his 30 opponents, being his battle against Canelo his 3rd world title defense.

His last title defense was a demolition round 7 TKO win over tough puncher Olanrewaju Durodola (36-8, 33 KO’s), last December. And what do you think about all of this?

#canelomakabu

The author Carlos Costa is a veteran fight reporter with a lifetime passion for the sport of boxing. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com or WhatsApp/viber +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
    By Ray Dunbar, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.