Ryad Merhy vs. Ilunga Makabu - September 30, 2022 (OFF)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Confirmed

WBA cruiserweight champ Ryad Merhy's title unification fight against WBC king Ilunga Makabu (29-2) that was first set for March 26 in Russia but had to be postponed when the war with Ukraine broke out, will now go ahead in Kinshasa, Kongo, on September 30.

Merhy (30-1) won the WBA Interim title in 2019 and was crowned "regular" champ a year later. He stopped Chinese contender Zhaoxin Zhang in his last fight.

Makabu defended the title against Thabiso Mchunu on January 29 in Warren, Ohio.

[Manrae]

So... "regular" WBA titles can unify?

I thought only if 'Super' champs didn't exist in said weight class... on WBA's website, ARSEN GOULAMIRIAN is still the Cruiserweight "Super" champion...

Does this mean that if Erislandy Lara (WBA reg) fought Jermall Charlo (WBC), it would be a unification bout, despite GGG being the "Super" champion?

Can Leigh Wood?

[Ruthless-RKO]

So... "regular" WBA titles can unify?

I thought only if 'Super' champs didn't exist in said weight class... on WBA's website, ARSEN GOULAMIRIAN is still the Cruiserweight "Super" champion...

Does this mean that if Erislandy Lara (WBA reg) fought Jermall Charlo (WBC), it would be a unification bout, despite GGG being the "Super" champion?

Can Leigh Wood?

This is what I mean.

In the past a regular or interim champion would need to vacate to fight the IBF, WBO or WBC champion. Because those orgs won’t recognise it a unification.

Kinda happened when Quigg and Frampton fought.

But WBA were told that Frampton would then fight the Super champion Rigo. But he didn’t.

[daz74]

So... "regular" WBA titles can unify?

I thought only if 'Super' champs didn't exist in said weight class... on WBA's website, ARSEN GOULAMIRIAN is still the Cruiserweight "Super" champion...

Does this mean that if Erislandy Lara (WBA reg) fought Jermall Charlo (WBC), it would be a unification bout, despite GGG being the "Super" champion?

Can Leigh Wood?

Yes I agree with you, this doesn’t make sense

[Ruthless-RKO]

ILUNGA MAKABU-RYAD MERHY SET FOR SEPTEMBER 30 IN KINSHASA

News reached The Ring that WBC cruiserweight titleholder Ilunga Makabu will face Ryad Merhy at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on September 30.

The arena capacity at the Stade des Martyrs is 80,000, and a large crowd is expected to be in attendance.

Makabu, who is rated No. 4 by The Ring at 200 pounds, has been a professional since 2008. After losing his debut, he rebounded impressively, scoring wins over Eric Fields (KO 5), Glen Johnson (TKO 9) and Thabiso Mchunu (KO 11) to earn a shot at the vacant WBC title in May 2016. He dropped Tony Bellew in the opening round, but was knocked out in three.

The 34-year-old southpaw responded by winning seven fights, including two in Russia over Dmitry Kudryashov (TKO 5) and Alexsei Papin (MD 12). Those triumphs saw him rewarded with a second title opportunity, and this time Makabu edged past Michal Cieslak (UD 12) to capture the WBC title. The Congolese-born power-puncher has defended against Olanrewaju Durodola (TKO 7) before controversially outpointing Mchunu (SD 12) in their rematch earlier this year.

Merhy (30-1, 25 KOs), who is rated No. 9 by The Ring, turned professional in 2013. The Ivory Coast born-fighter won his first 24 contests while fighting almost exclusively in his adopted homeland of Belgium. The 29-year-old lost for the only time in his career when he was stopped by Arsen Goulamirian (TKO 11) in March 2018. He has six fights since: Samuel Clarkson (KO 4), Imre Szello (KO 7) and, most recently, Zhaoxin Zhang (TKO 8).

Editor’s Note: Merhy currently holds the WBA regular title, which is unrecognized by The Ring. Goulamirian is the reigning WBA cruiserweight titleholder.

[Enlightened-One]

This might sound silly, but I can see Canelo wanting to face the winner of Makabu-Merhy at some point down the line.

Of course, the Mexican still needs to overcome GGG and Bivol before he even considers a one-off bout at cruiserweight.

I just feel that Canelo would deserve to take a safe stay-busy bout after those two fights, with the likes of Makabu or Merhy ideal candidates to supply a relatively easy history-making money-spinning opportunity.

I know, people will laugh, but I really can't help thinking the cruiserweight division is rather weak right now. And Makabu and Merhy are probably easier challenges for Canelo to overcome than the likes of Beterbiev, Benavidez, Charlo, Andrade, Okolie etc.

[margaret thatcher]

canelo! canelo! canelo!

[DrDuke]

Canelo should change his diet and training approach in preparation to his cruiserweight and heavyweight conquests. There won't be need in muscles for that, because muscles make ya slower and less durable. Canelo should gain fat. One Mexican fatty has already proved everyone, that fat was profit. Imagine, how fat Canelo destroys all those makaboos, okolies, usyks and furies. After that Canelo vs Andy on Cinco de Mayo 2023 or 2024 on the stadium in Mexico in front of 800 000 fans for the undisputed heavyweight championship and a huge bowl of tacos.

[JxhDel.]

What has happened to Goulamirian?

[Ruthless-RKO]

What has happened to Goulamirian?

Still the Super champion.

[JxhDel.]

What has happened to Goulamirian?

Still the Super champion.

After almost three years?

[Ruthless-RKO]

What has happened to Goulamirian?

Still the Super champion.

After almost three years?

Lawrence Okolie Return, Goulamirian-Egorov As Co-Feature: Eyed For Feb. 27

This was the most recent. He was scheduled this year, but pulled out.

Arsen Goulamirian Tests Positive For COVID-19, Egorov Defense is Off

The Egorov fight was ordered from WBA, a mandatory.

He was injured in the last 2 years also.

[JxhDel.]

Still the Super champion.

After almost three years?

Lawrence Okolie Return, Goulamirian-Egorov As Co-Feature: Eyed For Feb. 27

This was the most recent. He was scheduled this year, but pulled out.

Arsen Goulamirian Tests Positive For COVID-19, Egorov Defense is Off

The Egorov fight was ordered from WBA, a mandatory.

He was injured in the last 2 years also.

Bit of a tough luck, uh?

[gregregegg]

This fight makes sense. both are "champs" but neither are respected too much. unifying will give the winner some extra credibility.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Merhy might move up in weight.

This fight is now off.

[wrighty]

Wouldn't mind seeing Billam Smith vs Mehry or Goulamirian.