BoxRec

Florian Marku, Chris Kongo Reach Agreement To Collide in Grudge Match

Welterweight rivals Florian Marku (13-0-1, 8 KO’s) and Chris Kongo (14-2, 7 KO’s) have agreed to fight each other next. A date and venue will be confirmed in due course.

A fight between the two has been building for some time and the feud came to a head last summer at the launch press conference for the delayed fight between Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi. Angry at some comments Marku posted online, Kongo approached the fiery Albanian whilst he was giving an interview. Kongo didn’t get the answers he sought, instead he received a hefty shove in the chest from the fiery Albanian. Battle lines were drawn there and then.

The unpredictable Marku - who blew away Dylan Moran inside a minute in his last appearance last September - had been mentioned as a possible opponent for former undisputed super lightweight champion Josh Taylor but although he remains unbeaten, his form has been patchy over the past couple of years and he will need to be on his game to get past the talented but enigmatic Kongo, who hasn’t boxed since last January when he lost a majority decision to Ekow Essuman in a bid for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.

The pair were at the Sky Sports studios today to announce the news and Marku quickly shot down Kongo’s suggestion that Marku has only taken the fight for financial reasons, whilst he is fighting for his own legacy.

“First of all, we all need money in this life because nothing is for free. Let’s say things how they are,” he said. “Secondly, the only thing that he can fight for at the moment is the legacy because he has lost. I give him the opportunity to fight me because I have other fights to fight. I give him this fight and I am happy because the fans love it, the crowd love it and they think that he’s going to cause me problems. If he’s saying that he doesn’t need money, he’s lying. Nobody works for free.

"He's going to regret it. He's going to regret it for sure that he chose to fight me.

"His wish came true. I know that he will be training too much for this fight because that is his most important fight of his life till now. But I have always been training as if it is the most important fight of my life and when we're in the ring he will understand that.”

The fight is a must win for Kongo. After losing his unbeaten record to Michael McKinson in 2021 and then suffering the setback to Essuman last year, he can’t afford a third defeat at this level.

"I'm excited now. The fight is here. This is what we want, this is what the supporters are asking and we're going to give it to them. It's a good one,” the Londoner said.

"Now I believe he's been backed into a corner, he can't go nowhere now. He's got to fight the likes of me or any of the top 10 in the UK now.

“To me, this is what the fight game is. I’m ready to make it happen and show you guys why I am - to this day - the best welterweight in the country.

“I’m better than him. Literally, I believe I’m better than him. I believe through my experience is the way we’re gonna see the win. Let’s wait until the time comes but we will be working.

“He’s a good fighter. He’s improved but he’s not better than Chris Kongo.”

be good to see Florian fight. Aggressive little fighter.

The Chris Kongo we saw in the Luther Clay fight wins this, but we don't have this Chris Kongo anymore, smart matchmaking to keep the Albanian ticket buyers happy.

I have Albanian heritage so I might be biased.. but I think its amazing how someone can go from being a European kickboxing champ, to then having a try at MMA and being undefeated, to then turning to boxing in the UK and in a few years being 13-0.

On top of that, Marku knows it is the entertainment business as much as it is a sport and knows how to sell a fight brilliantly, overshadowing a lot of established UK boxers.

I remember how Chris Kongo was the next big prospect a few years ago.. now I'd say he isn't even the favourite in this fight. Mentally, I think Marku is a lot stronger too, especially with Kongo's recent losses.

I have Marku by stoppage.

944517 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2024, 19:02 I have Albanian heritage so I might be biased.. but I think its amazing how someone can go from being a European kickboxing champ, to then having a try at MMA and being undefeated, to then turning to boxing in the UK and in a few years being 13-0.

On top of that, Marku knows it is the entertainment business as much as it is a sport and knows how to sell a fight brilliantly, overshadowing a lot of established UK boxers.

I remember how Chris Kongo was the next big prospect a few years ago.. now I'd say he isn't even the favourite in this fight. Mentally, I think Marku is a lot stronger too, especially with Kongo's recent losses.

I have Marku by stoppage.

I do too, momentum definitely with Florian.

Good fight, I think Kongo outclasses him, but that’s kinda just a hunch, so no result would shock me.

But who knows Mabey marku can bulldog him… but I think Kongo is good enough and long enough to smash Markus heavyweight head and featherweight body….

The_Don1 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2024, 18:56 The Chris Kongo we saw in the Luther Clay fight wins this, but we don't have this Chris Kongo anymore, smart matchmaking to keep the Albanian ticket buyers happy.

Why don't we ?

944517 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2024, 19:02 I have Albanian heritage so I might be biased.. but I think its amazing how someone can go from being a European kickboxing champ, to then having a try at MMA and being undefeated, to then turning to boxing in the UK and in a few years being 13-0.

On top of that, Marku knows it is the entertainment business as much as it is a sport and knows how to sell a fight brilliantly, overshadowing a lot of established UK boxers.

I remember how Chris Kongo was the next big prospect a few years ago.. now I'd say he isn't even the favourite in this fight. Mentally, I think Marku is a lot stronger too, especially with Kongo's recent losses.

I have Marku by stoppage.

That he does - brings atmosphere, a fight, entertainment - I can't think of an "undercard" fighter that I'd rather watch.

I think Gary Logan hit the nail on the head about Kongo when he was talking about him getting down to the weight. I think a couple of years back I would’ve favoured Kongo but there’s no way he’s doing that weight well & I think he’ll get stopped

skanksta wrote: ↑24 Jan 2024, 04:42

944517 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2024, 19:02 I have Albanian heritage so I might be biased.. but I think its amazing how someone can go from being a European kickboxing champ, to then having a try at MMA and being undefeated, to then turning to boxing in the UK and in a few years being 13-0.

On top of that, Marku knows it is the entertainment business as much as it is a sport and knows how to sell a fight brilliantly, overshadowing a lot of established UK boxers.

I remember how Chris Kongo was the next big prospect a few years ago.. now I'd say he isn't even the favourite in this fight. Mentally, I think Marku is a lot stronger too, especially with Kongo's recent losses.

I have Marku by stoppage.

That he does - brings atmosphere, a fight, entertainment - I can't think of an "undercard" fighter that I'd rather watch.

same here, he's always good vfm in the run up to a fight. Certainly super popular with his people too which always creates more atmosphere.

He's blown hot and cold and while Kongo is being chosen because he's been so inactive, he is a genuine welterweight which you can't say of a hell of a lot of Marku's opponents.

Quite fancy waiting for the odds on this one.

certainly seems like we're all looking forward to it.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2024, 18:55 certainly seems like we're all looking forward to it.

Yeah I’ll give Boxxer credit for this fight. I’ve been disappointed with most of what they’ve served up.

jameswilson wrote: ↑26 Jan 2024, 19:25

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑26 Jan 2024, 18:55 certainly seems like we're all looking forward to it.

Yeah I’ll give Boxxer credit for this fight. I’ve been disappointed with most of what they’ve served up.

me too mate, sadly.

Just realised in the end this didn’t happen?

it's still on Sky website but with no date.

Let’s hope Marku hasn’t shat it.

can't imagine Marku being scared of a fight, for all his limitations.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 17:21 can't imagine Marku being scared of a fight, for all his limitations.

doubt he is scared of actually being beat up... but he might be scared losing badly and of having to be a labourer to pay rent from 40-70 years old....

i mean the thread starts on jan 23rd so not like this has gone quiet for months on end

gregregegg wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 23:48

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 17:21 can't imagine Marku being scared of a fight, for all his limitations.

doubt he is scared of actually being beat up... but he might be scared losing badly and of having to be a labourer to pay rent from 40-70 years old....

Hahahaha somehow doubt Marku’s second career would end up being a labourer

knockout wrote: ↑04 Feb 2024, 01:31

gregregegg wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 23:48

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 17:21 can't imagine Marku being scared of a fight, for all his limitations.

doubt he is scared of actually being beat up... but he might be scared losing badly and of having to be a labourer to pay rent from 40-70 years old....

Hahahaha somehow doubt Marku’s second career would end up being a labourer

he's very famous in Albania and there's a significant population of Albanians here, I don't think he'll be hod carrying anytime soon. He's got 700k followers on IG, I suspect he's well sponsored and well paid.

gregregegg wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 23:48

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Feb 2024, 17:21 can't imagine Marku being scared of a fight, for all his limitations.

doubt he is scared of actually being beat up... but he might be scared losing badly and of having to be a labourer to pay rent from 40-70 years old....

He has already got more money than a lot of top level british fighters and he now owns a restuarant and a barbers if im not mistaken from his instagram posts.

Just seen an interview with Shalom. Apparently the Clarke v Wardley date won't work because of ramadan (Marku is a muslim.) So probably a date after that.