There will be no Christmas break for Ilunga ‘Junior’ Makabu from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as he is preparing to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight title.
Makabu’s title defence against Armenian-German boxer Noel Gevor Mikaelyan is going to be held at the Casino Miami Jai Alai, Miami, in the United States on Saturday, 21 January.
Makabu, who is trained by Damien Durandt in Johannesburg, will be making his third defence of the title. The 35-year-old Congolese has so far successfully defended his crown against South African Thabiso Mchunu in January this year and Kansas City-based Nigerian Olanrewaju Durodola in December 2020.
The 32-year-old Mikaelyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, and is now based in Hamburg, Germany. He defeated France-based Congolese Youri Kayembre Kalenga in February this year.
