Philippines, 29 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Don King Signs Congo's Ilunga Makabu ; Sets Sights on Staging 5 Championship Bouts in The Congo

PhilBoxing.com




Deerfield Beach, FL (September 30, 2019)?The world?s greatest boxing promoter, Don King, may soon be returning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

King signed the Congo?s Ilunga Makabu (26-2), who is the WBC?s number one contender for the vacant cruiserweight championship.

?I have traveled from France, and Makabu from the Congo, to meet here in Florida with Don King,? said co-manager Tarik Saadi. ?I have matched the greatest fighter in the world with the greatest promoter in the world and today, together, we sign for the future of Junior Makabu.?

?I am thrilled at the opportunity to help Ilunga Makabu become a world champion,? said King. ?He?s a very talented fighter, who is most deserving of a shot at the WBC belt and we will do everything to make his championship dream come true.

Kazakhstan?s Beibut Shumenov, WBA Cruiserweight Champion will defend his title on the same show which would create great anticipation and excitement for the two winners of the WBA and WBC meeting each other for a unification down the road?

?I would love to bring Makabu?s title fight to his home country and promote 5 championship bouts, a boxing extravaganza featuring a WBA Heavyweight championship bout and 2 cruiserweight championship bouts; Makabu fighting for the WBC world cruiserweight championship and a female championship bout, Nigeria?s own Helen Joseph, the Iron Lady and another championship bout to be named.?

?I?d like to thank one of the most respected fight managers, Lee Holliday, for bringing Makabu and his manager, Tarik Saadi together with us. We look forward to working with Ferdinand Luyoyo, the President of the Boxing Federation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.?

?We are very happy to sign with Don King and learn from the best,? said Saadi. ?I am very happy to be in Miami to work together to put Africa and Congo boxing on the world map.?

Makabu has won seven consecutive fights, the last coming Aug. 24, when he earned a majority decision against Aleksei Papin to retain his WBC Silver Cruiserweight title. He?s scored 24 knockouts in his 26 victories against two losses. One of his two losses came in a WBC cruiserweight championship bout to Tony Bellew in Liverpool on May 29, 2016.


The Rumble in the Jungle II
A Salute to Greatness, an Extravaganza for World Peace featuring 5 World Championship boxing matches and a world class music festival; concert and performers, taking place in the week leading up to the fight. We will celebrate and pay tribute to the 45th anniversary of the fight between the GREATEST OF ALL TIMES, MUHAMMAD ALI AND THE STRONGMAN OF BOXING, HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, GEORGE FOREMAN. NOW, let?s get ready for Rumble in the Jungle II pursuing World Peace.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    , Wed, 25 Mar 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.