Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Ilunga Makabu - WBC Approved

[Counter-puncher]

f@ck it, we always gotta have at least 1 nutjob going for an upset, i say canelo does it, dude is a beast!

all I'm gonna say is I think he'd give Usyk a better fight than people are saying

I'd fkin love it, MAKE THE FIGHT

[jamesmcdonnell]

f@ck it, we always gotta have at least 1 nutjob going for an upset, i say canelo does it, dude is a beast!

all I'm gonna say is I think he'd give Usyk a better fight than people are saying

I'd fkin love it, MAKE THE FIGHT

It's unlikely that he's going to be embarrassed by Usyk, I can envisage it a bit like Louis v Conn.

The one advantage he has of course, is that if he finishes on his feet, unless he's been knocked down multiple times, he almost certainly wins.

[tonyevs]

Conn was similar height to Louis .. probably not much weight difference too.

Come on people - this is looking like the sillyness of the current scene suggesting Canelo wouldn't get ragged and rinsed by Usyk very easily. A guy who can stand the heat of Gassiev and even a donkey like Chisora would barely break sweat against a 5'8 guy naturally 3 stone lighter than himself.

If Canelo wanted to fight a guy at heavyweight he'd be looking for someone like David Haye not Usyk.

[tonyevs]

* on a different note.

If Canelo does fight and beat Makabu .. does it put into perspective what a paper champion Bellew really was?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo Plans To Be Around 180 For Makabu: This is a 50-50 Challenge!

Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is not concerned about a size disadvantage when he plans to make a serious leap in weight in 2022.

Jumping up by 32-pounds, Canelo intends to challenge WBC cruiserweight world champion Ilunga Makabu in May of next year.

Earlier this month, Canelo unified the entire super middleweight division when he knocked out Caleb Plant at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Canelo has now captured world titles at junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.

No Mexico-born fighter has captured world titles in five weight divisions.

Canelo has never fought beyond the light heavyweight limit of 175. He moved up to light heavyweight in 2019, and captured the WBO world title when he knocked out Sergey Kovalev. In the aftermath of that victory, Canelo vacated his title and dropped down to the super middleweight limit of 168.

The four division champion is very motivated to move up to face a hard punching beltholder at the cruiserweight max of 200-pounds.

Makabu believes Canelo is finally biting off a little more than he can chew.

For his part, Canelo is not planning to put a lot of mass for the contest. He explains that he'll enter the ring for this upcoming assignment at around 180-pounds.

"I'm a very smart fighter. I believe in my power and my skills, so this is why we're going to try [to win the title at cruiserweight]. It's a great challenge and a question of twenty kilos. It's a fifty/fifty challenge, but I feel very strong. I love challenges and making history. That`s why I'm here, and I like this challenge. We will see if it is the most difficult challenge of my career on that day," Canelo said.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Canelo Alvarez and Ilunga Junior Makabu face off, Makabu promises to KO Canelo



Makabu (28-2, 25 KO) may not be a pound-for-pound fighter, but the 34-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is no joke, and he’s a legitimate cruiserweight with a lot of cruiserweight power, and he thinks Canelo has picked the wrong fight.

“Yes, I accept the fight,” he said at the convention. “When I got this news from my manager and (WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman), I said, ‘Wow! This is something good.’ Canelo is the best boxer on the planet right now. So, I want to fight the best, and I accept, but there will be no catchweight for this fight.

“I think Canelo is making a big mistake, which he is going to regret. Canelo wants to prove to people that he can do better than others and I am quite prepared to let Canelo try for this dream, but I‘ve got my also story to write down. Yes, this is boxing. I lost to Tony Bellew, but I came back. Now I’m telling you 100 percent, I will knock out Canelo.”

“I’m a very smart fighter. I believe in my power and my skills, so this is why we`re going to try,” Canelo said. “It’s a great challenge and a question of 20 kilos. It`s a 50/50 challenge, but I feel very strong. I love challenges and making history. That`s why I’m here, and I like this challenge. We will see if it is the most difficult challenge of my career on that day!”

[DrDuke]

Makabu can bang, but he is opened for counters and can be KOed. Unless extra-pounds slows Canelo down significantly, he gotta be favored here clearly.

[Verdi]

Which up and comer in the cruiserweight division (no world title holder or ex world champ) could give Canelo problems !

Richard Riakporhe

[Verdi]

If Canelo beats Makabu then that’s a great win. Ffs limited or not, Makabu is a genuine 200lb fighter and he has that awkward style. I personally don’t see how Canelo can have it easy. I’d be tempted to have Ilunga as slight favourite.
Usyk v Canelo September 2021.

He could probably still cut to LHW if he wanted to. He certainly doesn't cut weight to make the CW limit, he's often several lbs under.

[jamesmcdonnell]

If Canelo beats Makabu then that’s a great win. Ffs limited or not, Makabu is a genuine 200lb fighter and he has that awkward style. I personally don’t see how Canelo can have it easy. I’d be tempted to have Ilunga as slight favourite.
Usyk v Canelo September 2021.

He could probably still cut to LHW if he wanted to. He certainly doesn't cut weight to make the CW limit, he's often several lbs under.

175 is a big drop from 200, he looks rock solid at cruiser and is thickset and stocky, so doubt that he'd ever make 175.

He was only 23 when he last weighed under 175.

[Verdi]

If Canelo beats Makabu then that’s a great win. Ffs limited or not, Makabu is a genuine 200lb fighter and he has that awkward style. I personally don’t see how Canelo can have it easy. I’d be tempted to have Ilunga as slight favourite.
Usyk v Canelo September 2021.

He could probably still cut to LHW if he wanted to. He certainly doesn't cut weight to make the CW limit, he's often several lbs under.

175 is a big drop from 200, he looks rock solid at cruiser and is thickset and stocky, so doubt that he'd ever make 175.

He was only 23 when he last weighed under 175.

He regularly comes in 193/194 and there would be no reason for him to cut to that weight, that would be his walking around weight. It's pretty common for fighters to cut 20lbs. Canelo is also pretty solid, weighed in at 155 for Khan and was 187 on the night.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He could probably still cut to LHW if he wanted to. He certainly doesn't cut weight to make the CW limit, he's often several lbs under.

175 is a big drop from 200, he looks rock solid at cruiser and is thickset and stocky, so doubt that he'd ever make 175.

He was only 23 when he last weighed under 175.

He regularly comes in 193/194 and there would be no reason for him to cut to that weight, that would be his walking around weight. It's pretty common for fighters to cut 20lbs. Canelo is also pretty solid, weighed in at 155 for Khan and was 187 on the night.

There was no official in ring weight for Khans fight with Canelo, Khan claimed he was 187, but that's unverified. 32 lbs sounds a little improbable to me. That's 17% of total bodyweight cut.

Makubu's average weight looks to be about 197 judging by his last 10 bouts.

Either way, the idea he could make 175 healthily now is bollocks.

[Verdi]

175 is a big drop from 200, he looks rock solid at cruiser and is thickset and stocky, so doubt that he'd ever make 175.

He was only 23 when he last weighed under 175.

He regularly comes in 193/194 and there would be no reason for him to cut to that weight, that would be his walking around weight. It's pretty common for fighters to cut 20lbs. Canelo is also pretty solid, weighed in at 155 for Khan and was 187 on the night.

There was no official in ring weight for Khans fight with Canelo, Khan claimed he was 187, but that's unverified. 32 lbs sounds a little improbable to me. That's 17% of total bodyweight cut.

Makubu's average weight looks to be about 197 judging by his last 10 bouts.

Either way, the idea he could make 175 healthily now is bollocks.

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

[tonyevs]

He regularly comes in 193/194 and there would be no reason for him to cut to that weight, that would be his walking around weight. It's pretty common for fighters to cut 20lbs. Canelo is also pretty solid, weighed in at 155 for Khan and was 187 on the night.

There was no official in ring weight for Khans fight with Canelo, Khan claimed he was 187, but that's unverified. 32 lbs sounds a little improbable to me. That's 17% of total bodyweight cut.

Makubu's average weight looks to be about 197 judging by his last 10 bouts.

Either way, the idea he could make 175 healthily now is bollocks.

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He regularly comes in 193/194 and there would be no reason for him to cut to that weight, that would be his walking around weight. It's pretty common for fighters to cut 20lbs. Canelo is also pretty solid, weighed in at 155 for Khan and was 187 on the night.

There was no official in ring weight for Khans fight with Canelo, Khan claimed he was 187, but that's unverified. 32 lbs sounds a little improbable to me. That's 17% of total bodyweight cut.

Makubu's average weight looks to be about 197 judging by his last 10 bouts.

Either way, the idea he could make 175 healthily now is bollocks.

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

Yes, but that wouldn't be his natural fighting weight, and he wouldn't be as strong as he would at 190-200.

I could get down to 175 pounds If I really tried I'm sure, but I'd be piss weak.

Anybody remember Chris Byrd's ill fated run at 175, he looked bloody awful and got absolutely spanked by a very ordinary 175 lb fighter.

[jamesmcdonnell]

There was no official in ring weight for Khans fight with Canelo, Khan claimed he was 187, but that's unverified. 32 lbs sounds a little improbable to me. That's 17% of total bodyweight cut.

Makubu's average weight looks to be about 197 judging by his last 10 bouts.

Either way, the idea he could make 175 healthily now is bollocks.

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

[Controversial]

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

Makubu is naturally the bigger man but it's worth remembering Canelo made his pro debut a few months after his 15th birthday so was still a young kid. Plus he cuts weight well. He must be 20+lbs heavier on fight night than on the scales. Like most of us he will fill out as he ages too.

[Verdi]

A specific diet for a few months, plus a little rehydration, he could easily cut down to 175. Muscle mass comes off pretty quickly in a kcal deficit.

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

Canelo was also 15 when he first turned pro, what did Makabu weigh when he was 15 to make it a fair comparison?

Fact is most cruisers cut weight to make the limit, Makabu is often several pounds under the limit, which shows us he doesn't need to cut weight to make the CW limit.

I think that he could cut to 175 without much issue, it may take a few months (I'm not talking drastic dehydration) and still maintain the vast majority of his strength. You don't think the same, not really worth arguing about though.

[emallini]

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

Canelo was also 15 when he first turned pro, what did Makabu weigh when he was 15 to make it a fair comparison?

Fact is most cruisers cut weight to make the limit, Makabu is often several pounds under the limit, which shows us he doesn't need to cut weight to make the CW limit.

I think that he could cut to 175 without much issue, it may take a few months (I'm not talking drastic dehydration) and still maintain the vast majority of his strength. You don't think the same, not really worth arguing about though.

This is not true.

[tonyevs]

The point is .. a stocky 5'8 guy will naturally weigh less than a stocky 6'2 guy .. Canelo and Makabu are both stocky strong guys.

Both could .. just like anybody who doesn't consume enough calories - lose weight to get to a weight they aren't comfortable fighting at. But that's not the point of the discussion here.

[JamesPhilips]

Is there any chance Canelo team will insist Ilunga comes in at a certain weight? Or can’t come in the ring above a certain weight?

Remember SRL made Donny Lalonde come in at 168 years ago. And boxing plus wbc are completely corrupt

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think the point being made is that he is naturally a stocky thickset fella who suits walking around at and around 200lb.

I'm sure Canelo at 5'8" could cut down to 147lb ... But he wouldn't be the same fighter we see now at 168lb.

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

Canelo was also 15 when he first turned pro, what did Makabu weigh when he was 15 to make it a fair comparison?

Fact is most cruisers cut weight to make the limit, Makabu is often several pounds under the limit, which shows us he doesn't need to cut weight to make the CW limit.

I think that he could cut to 175 without much issue, it may take a few months (I'm not talking drastic dehydration) and still maintain the vast majority of his strength. You don't think the same, not really worth arguing about though.

You can try and slice it any way you care to, but I'm afraid you are really clutching at straws here.

Makubu turned pro weighing 174 at 23.
At 23, Canelo, already a seasoned pro, weighed 154.

Give it up man for christ's sake.

[Verdi]

It does seem rather than our friend here is trying to bend reality to his wishes.

Makubu is a natural cruiserweight, and a naturally bigger man than Canelo, end of.

Makubu was 174 on his debut, Canelo was 140, that gives you an indication of the differences in their natural size.

Canelo is by now having to bulk up and do resistance training to add some muscle at this stage of his career.

Canelo was also 15 when he first turned pro, what did Makabu weigh when he was 15 to make it a fair comparison?

Fact is most cruisers cut weight to make the limit, Makabu is often several pounds under the limit, which shows us he doesn't need to cut weight to make the CW limit.

I think that he could cut to 175 without much issue, it may take a few months (I'm not talking drastic dehydration) and still maintain the vast majority of his strength. You don't think the same, not really worth arguing about though.

You can try and slice it any way you care to, but I'm afraid you are really clutching at straws here.

Makubu turned pro weighing 174 at 23.
At 23, Canelo, already a seasoned pro, weighed 154.

Give it up man for christ's sake.

It's just a difference of opinion chap, I think a guy could cut weight and still be effective at LHW and you don't. No need to get salty about it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Canelo was also 15 when he first turned pro, what did Makabu weigh when he was 15 to make it a fair comparison?

Fact is most cruisers cut weight to make the limit, Makabu is often several pounds under the limit, which shows us he doesn't need to cut weight to make the CW limit.

I think that he could cut to 175 without much issue, it may take a few months (I'm not talking drastic dehydration) and still maintain the vast majority of his strength. You don't think the same, not really worth arguing about though.

You can try and slice it any way you care to, but I'm afraid you are really clutching at straws here.

Makubu turned pro weighing 174 at 23.
At 23, Canelo, already a seasoned pro, weighed 154.

Give it up man for christ's sake.

It's just a difference of opinion chap, I think a guy could cut weight and still be effective at LHW and you don't. No need to get salty about it.

It's not a difference of opinion, one man is clearly much the bigger man.

I'm not getting salty, but you're being absurd.

[Verdi]

You can try and slice it any way you care to, but I'm afraid you are really clutching at straws here.

Makubu turned pro weighing 174 at 23.
At 23, Canelo, already a seasoned pro, weighed 154.

Give it up man for christ's sake.

It's just a difference of opinion chap, I think a guy could cut weight and still be effective at LHW and you don't. No need to get salty about it.

It's not a difference of opinion, one man is clearly much the bigger man.

I'm not getting salty, but you're being absurd.

Of course one guy is much bigger than the other, but still Makabu is a small cruiserweight. One I believe could cut to LHW and still be brilliant. You don't think that, that's cool, I'm not sure why you keep arguing about it tbh. However I still think it's an amazing achievement if could Canelo could win a strap at CW (against a much bigger man). It'd be incredible for his legacy.