Topic: [Boxing] Canelo Alvarez vs. Ilunga Makabu - page 11. (Read 1160 times)

Honestly, to any boxer, moving up on weight class is more efficient compare to going down. It's hard to reach much lower weight requirements and that results in a dehydrated body. Canelo has a good decision to step up since no room for any achievements now on his current stage as he already claimed the title "undisputed" champion.

But don't be deceived by Ilunga Makabu from being a not-known or unpopular boxer to others here. I'm sure he will give a Canelo a difficult match.

Well, I think there is no need for him to stay at middleweight division and maybe he wants challenges as well like what he did when he jumped at a higher division and fought Kovalev. Now he is doing it again.

Like always since this is a huge jump from him, I'm not expecting too much from Canelo this time but if he manages to win this then... its the start of the new era for him again . After unifying the middleweight division, he wants to try another division again and this is a good start for him. I'm not belittling Makabu though but I think that Canelo has the upper hand here at least just because of how he is performing during his last fights. Still, Makabu is strong base on the videos that I saw on Youtube.

I also think that this is the best moment for Canelo to pass to a higher weight class. In terms of skill I'm sure he'll be a better fighter than Makabu. The only thing that a Makabu can threaten him is strength. If Canelo dictate fast speed and pressure from the start, he would either win via KO or he would run out of strength.

Maybe he will target the LHW later, but his eyes right now on getting another belt regardless of the weight category. And this will be his what? I can't remember, 5 weight belt already?

Canelo is already known for his body shots, but he has developed the left hook in recent years with Canelo that we seldom see him throw it. However, it is still a weapons for any of his opponents, we saw him throwing it against Caleb so soften him up in later rounds.

I think it's a warming up for Alvarez before he fight with top boxer in LHW. It's will be insane if he fight with Beterviev, he's a nightmare in this weight with excellent record 100% KO and remain undefeated.

Since he fight with taller boxer, we will see many Alvarez's body shots to Makabu

I'd say Makabu isn't weak... his punch is strong, but he's not fast as Alvarez this is the problem for him how to punch Alvarez more accurate.

This would be one hell of a fight knowing the background of both fighters, surely they would give the audience a great match. As we all know Canelo Alvarez is one of the greatest boxers we have right now. Alvarez has a reputable boxing record which made him famous because indeed, he fights so well and as an audience, you will never get bored of watching his battles because he is an aggressive boxer who knows well when to build up a defense as well. Meanwhile, Ilunga Makabu, despite his name not really being heard most of the time in boxing has a big reputation too. The cruiserweight champion has been in his position for a reason. Makabu has an inspiring story that showcases that anyone can bounce back after a failure.

Makabu has his fair share of losses that took a great impact on his boxing career. He started winning, ended up losing, and then he went back stronger on the boxing ring after his defeat. So far, Makabu has a record of 28 wins, 2 losses, and out of 28 wins, the 25 ones are all knock out's. His physique made an advantage for him to climb up on his position, and of course, his playing style most of all. They already have faced each other and both are very much confident they would win. It was said in an interview that Makabu is honored for their upcoming match because he wants to fight one of the bests after all. Makabu is confident he would bring home the titles and he'll show the difference of their divisions from each other.

I can't really tell who will be the fight's favorite because both uphold such great track records. So, I guess let's just wait and see because they would certainly bring thrill and excitement once their game has started.

Of course, moving up in weight is not that easy specially gaining 10-20 lbs. And obviously, this is not Canelo's natural weight. But we've seen how great Canelo is, and he is chasing more greatness by moving to a new weight classes. I wouldn't call  Ilunga Makabu a expert, he has losses already. The timing is right for Canelo to move up and win another belt and faces one of the weakest champion in the Cruiserweight division.

Since Canelo is moving to a higher level in the championship it will not be that easy for and no one should except much from him particularly now that is going to face an expert in that level who has lost fight since the last five years and not just that but has had 25 knockout win out of 28 victories.

They are friendly with each other on their first face-off Makabu promised that he will knock out Canelo and claimed he made a big mistake of jumping to Cruiserweight, of course, this is easier than done, all of Canelo's opponents promised to knock him down but it ends up the other way around, I don't see Makabu doing this to Canelo and I believe he can take punches from cruiserweight, Pacquiao goes from flyweight to welterweight and he can take punches from big men.

Of course everything remains to be seen. We are only looking at the various possibilities in this fight. I took a look at Ilunga Makabu's previous fight highlights and I cannot see how he would win against Canelo. If he cannot naturally float around for the entire 12 rounds, he will probably lose. Canelo's pressure is non-stop. It will definitely wear Makabu out. And also Canelo's chin could catch a strong and heavy punch. If Makabu will stick to brawling, he is no match for Canelo. In terms of boxing IQ, Ilunga Makabu must be much inferior to Canelo.

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Are you then willing to put your money on Ilunga Makabu?

The difference in height and reach is only around 4 inches. Caleb Plant has the same reach as Makabu and is even taller than him.

this is quite a challenge for canelo, he needs to train hard on this one as he increases his weight. makabu has the advantages but if canelo will formulate tactics on how to defeat him, given that makabu is in his comfort zone.
am guessing the gap of odds will not be wide here. but canelo may be a slight favourite.

Ilunga Makabu statistics look really impressive. He seems to be a very dangerous opponent for Canelo. However, if Canelo continues to train hard and takes this fight seriously, I think he will easily add a third defeat to the Congo figher record.

I could say it was a big mistake for Canelo to jump to the next level, that probably it is not his comfort zone. If that prospected fight will commence, I don't bet Canelo. We know that he can fight hard and tough guys but with the height advantage of his opponent, that gonna be difficult for him honestly.

Well anyway, he can't learn more if he is not able to step forward and that was the time he could realize that he was wrong.

That remains to be seen because Makabu will be fighting in his comfort zone and obviously he is the bigger and heavier fighter. As I said, Canelo seems to be having problems fighting with heavier fighters, in fact, on one occasion it's stipulated in the contract the fight weight (forgot the opponent) so the opponent can't go bigger during the fight.

Nevertheless, it's a good move for Canelo to push himself because there is not many fighters to fight in the Super Middleweight division.

It looks like they are friendly in the convention, image for comparison:



So Ilunga is obviously the natural bigger guy, but Canelo is fight this guy in my opinion.

He will be going around 180 lbs, maybe we can see a fat Canelo, or a more muscular here, but I still him having a good chance to bet Ilunga at this division. Reminds of Pacquiao vs Clottey.

I think Ilunga will just turtle up in this fight and get his biggest pay check. It seems that this is being set up by WBC itself.

There's not much height difference between the two fighters, Canelo has been fighting fighters that taller than him and who moves around, this is one of the time that he is facing a fighter who loves to engage and go toe to toe, this may be one of the reasons why they picked Makabu, Makabu does not run always moving forward, I've seen some of his fights he is strong but not really that dangerous.
If Canelo can take a hard punch from Makabu he can also conquer the Cruiserweight division, I expect Canelo to be the favorite here.

Hope this fight wont repeat Canelo vs Kovalev scenario, when bored of boxing Kovalev just sold his belt to Canelo.  

I am not quite familiar with Makabu. On paper we just see numbers, but how is Makabu in action? Before I watch some of his fight, can you drop me a short review of him? At a glance he might have enough skills to give Canelo an equal fight.

Why Canelo is smiling or laughing on the picture? No hate (yet) between them?

I can see nothing special with Ilunga Makabu. The man may be bigger and heavier but I guess Canelo is very much in his peak right now. I think Canelo can dismantle this boxer easily. Compared to Caleb, I think Makabu is the easier opponent. This man might only end up being a punching against Canelo. Since he has a bigger body, he will just become a bigger and easier target. Canelo's power is a destroyer. Makabu will likely end up knocked out.

The upgrade in weight class will surely make it difficult for Canelo to compete at the home level of Ilunga. But then this guy seems to be pushing himself, he is a beast within his own devision but I don't know if this will be enough to go against Illunga who's fighting in his comfort zone.

The fight will sure be interesting to watch and although I side with Canelo (knowing him and his fighting style) but if the tables turn I wouldn't be that surprised.

I have to watch some of Makabu's past fights to assess Canelo's chances against him, he is also a slow starter jab a lot with good head movement, I have never seen Canelo badly hurt from his welterweight up to his middleweight days and up now that is in the super welterweight and Makabu did not possess a Wilder kind of punch so I think Canelo has a pretty good chance, he is more technical and he knows how to counter any of his opponents best punches.