Florian Marku vs. Chris Kongo | Sky Sports - 31 March 2024

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release | Florian Marku vs. Chris Kongo Grudge Match Added To Wardley-Clarke Card

More bad blood has been added to BOXXER’s hotly-anticipated Super Sunday Bank Holiday showdown between unbeaten heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke with welterweight rivals Florian Marku and Chris Kongo set to settle their differences on March 31st at The O2 in London, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and Peacock in the USA.

There’s no love lost between Marku and Kongo, who had to be pulled apart following an explosive press conference altercation last year. It will be a clash of styles as the ‘Albanian King’ and ‘2 Slick’ meet in the capital to settle their long-standing feud in a fascinating ten round contest.

Marku, the unbeaten former IBF International Champion, made short work of his last opponent, stopping Dylan Moran inside 60 seconds on the undercard of the Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr rematch on September 2nd in Manchester. The 31-year-old will be raring to go following this speedy stoppage win and is expected to bring an army of Albanian supporters with him to London.

Kongo returns following a narrow points defeat to Ekow Essuman for the British, Commonwealth, IBF European and WBC International Silver Welterweight Titles on January 21st last year. The Bermondsey man thought he did another to edge the contest but found himself of the wrong end of a majority decision at Manchester’s AO Arena.

Marku said: “I’m really pleased that all my fans get to see me put on a special performance on this great card at The O2, live on Sky Sports. It’s been two and half years since my last fight in London. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and for all my fans to see me knock out Chris Kongo.”

Kongo said: “I'm back in my backyard, and I'm not here to play games. Marku might think he's dangerous, but he's just another stepping stone on my path. I'll show everyone why I belong at the top, starting with a victory at The O2 in South London."

BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “This is a great addition to what is going to be an incredible night of action at The O2. Florian Marku vs Chris Kongo is a fight fans have wanted to see for years. Finally, we will see them in the ring on Sunday, March 31st. It’s another unmissable ‘Bad Blood’ matchup and a must-win fight for both men.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

I thought Marku wasn’t gonna fight cus of Ramadan?

[SeanBrennan]

Marku at the Essomba fight tonight

[The_Don1]

I thought Marku wasn’t gonna fight cus of Ramadan?

Maybe he's non practising, or Shalom threw the bag at him, tbf I'd never heard of Marku talking about his faith, only Shalom mentioned it

[jameswilson]

Got to give credit if this and the Clark v Wardley fight go ahead on this card with no hitches then this is probably Shalom's best card and deserves to sell a lot of tickets.

[Delta Jay]

Good fights with smaller names. I like it. It’s good for us round here

[Ruthless-RKO]

This being overlooked?

Boxxer’s best card in forever

[jameswilson]

This being overlooked?

Boxxer’s best card in forever

I like the fight a lot.

Kongo looks much longer than Marku so hopefully he can take advantage of that. Marku has feasted on opponents blown up from the lower divisions as well and Kongo is a bonafide Welterweight despite his limitations.

[SeanBrennan]

very good card this.

[jonp]

Cant remember the last time I saw a card without a single losing record on it.

[cormack]

marku looked way out of his depth there - found his level maybe

[Miguello]

Disappointed with Marku.

He had a few recent KO wins and must have thought he was unstoppable. No real gameplan for Kongo's height and reach. Didn't get underneath his jab, didn't go to the body just headhunted all night.

His Albanian fan base don't have a serious interest in boxing/are only interested in seeing him winning, they will drop him like a hot potato.

[Lightsoot]

Marku is / was shit - it’s a disgrace that he was ever hyped in the first place. If he wasn’t a gobby pudendum and Albanian no one would care. Even a safety first, boxing like watching paint dry Kongo could nullify him comfortably.

[Glass Joe]

Marku only looks good against fighters who stand there with their chin in the air.

Next for kongo dont think anyone wants to see a rematch with Michael McKinson. Maybe Harry Scarff or Essuman rematch not really crowd pleasing fights, maybe a risky fight against David Avanesyan

[Controversial]

Marku looked pretty average

[SeanBrennan]

Kongo boxed well, Marku less than graceful in defeat.