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WATCH: Canelo Alvarez’s Next Opponent, Ilunga Makabu, Knocks Out Opponent With Brutal Power

Published 11/18/2021, 11:45 AM EST

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Nearly two weeks ago, Canelo Alvarez stepped into the ring with Caleb Plant, who held the IBF super-middleweight title up until fight night. Stepping into this championship bout, Plant had started to look a lot like the one to finally dethrone Alvarez; however, the underdog couldn’t prove the masses wrong as boxing’s pound-for-pound king walked him down and knocked him out in round 11.

One thing that sets Canelo apart from the rest of the sport is his ability to step up to tough challenges. Not even two weeks after his third bout this year, it seems Alvarez now has his eyes set on a new, massive and crazy goal.

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After dominating multiple weight divisions, the 31-year-old champ is now looking to get a shot at the WBC cruiserweight title against Ilunga Makabu.

Canelo’s decision to step up to cruiserweight has been met with shock, surprise, and a variety of opinions. Some critics believe he is just cherry-picking his way through the ranks; however, there are also many who are simply appreciative of his ability to challenge himself in multiple weight classes.

However, a 2013 clip of a ripped Ilunga Makabu’s knockout of Eric Fields is now making the rounds on the internet. Makabu can be seen dominating him prior to ultimately dropping him clean with a sharp left hand.

Judging by this 2013 fight clip, do you think Canelo Alvarez is making a mistake by chasing the cruiserweight belt?

Ilunga Makabu vs Canelo Alvarez: Rumble in the Jungle 2?

In a recent interview after WBC’s huge announcement, Ilunga Makabu shared his thoughts on fighting boxing’s pound-for-pound king. Based on his comments, he seems extremely excited to welcome a title challenge from the 4-division champion.

It does not seem like Makabu is underestimating Alvarez; he even acknowledged him as “the best boxer on the planet”.

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Firstly, I’m very happy to fight Canelo. I don’t know if I have any problem to fight Canelo, and I would like to say, good luck to Canelo for coming to the cruiserweight division. Yeah, the best boxer on the planet, I would like to fight if you accept the idea to fight, the fact it can be happening, no problem.

Canelo’s corner has even expressed interest in hosting this mega-fight in Makabu’s home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Makabu was quick to highlight that he would be okay with a ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ part 2.

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However, he is not fixed upon the location, he insists that he could fight Canelo anywhere in the world.

Everything is possible, if Canelo want fight to happen in Congo, it is my country, it’s a big jungle. I’ll fight Canelo everywhere, everywhere you want. No matter where, America, Mexico, I’m able to make it,” said Ilunga Makabu.

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Written by:

Sanjit Misra

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Sanjit Misra is a boxing author at EssentiallySports. Sanjit fused his passion for writing with his love for jabs, hooks, and uppercuts and entered the realm of boxing journalism. The elegance, the sweet science, and the finesse of hand-to-hand combat was what initially drew him into the world of boxing.
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