This Saturday, the WBC World Cruiserweight Title will be put on the line when Ilunga Makabu defends against Thabiso Mchunu in Ohio.
Along with the WBC cruiserweight title, there is plenty at stake.
To the winner goes the spoils, including a money fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Makabu (28-2-0, 25 KOs) is slightly favored on the betting lines, but Mchunu (23-5-0, 13 KOs) will look to avenge his loss to Makabu from back in 2015.
Boxing Preview – Ilunga Makabu vs. Thabisu Mchunu Betting Odds & Free Pick – Info
When: Saturday, January 29th, at 8:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds: Ilunga Makabu -185 / Thabiso Mchunu +155
Draw Offs: –
Where Can I Watch? FITE TV
Why Bet on Ilunga Makabu
Makabu may be going for his biggest fight since Tony Bellew, but he must turn back to an old foe in Mchunu.
He already dusted Mchunu and is the bigger and more powerful boxer, but he isn’t less technical, either.
Makabu is proficient and has an awkward style that can make him a difficult matchup.
He loves to fight at close range, which could also lead to his downfall, as we saw against Bellew.
Fortunately for Makabu, not all cruiserweights he fights are behemoths like Bellew.
Why Bet on Thabiso Mchunu
Mchunu got derailed after losing to Makabu, going 3-3. But after avenging his loss against Thomas Oosthuizen, Mchunu has been on fire.
Most impressively, he put on a clinic against Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Tishchenko and handed him his first pro loss.
This was right after beating former unified cruiserweight champ Denis Lebedev.
With his head back firmly on his shoulders, Mchunu will prove to be a tough test for the top cruiserweights, as his elusive and fleet-footed style gives him an edge.
Final Betting Analysis: Ilunga Makabu vs. Thabiso Mchunu
The last time Makabu and Mchunu fought was nearly seven years ago and few folks outside of Africa may have heard of it or seen it.
Makabu finished Makabu in the 11th round in what was a fun back-and-forth.
Since then, Makabu has gone 9-1-0, winning the cruiserweight title in 2020, while Mchunu has gone 7-4, though he has won four straight.
Against smaller 200-pounders like Mchunu, Makabu should have no issues asserting his style.
He’s may have to adjust thanks to the improvements Mchunu has made, but punch-for-punch, Makabu has a sizable advantage.
Ilunga Makabu is our betting pick for the match-up, and we believe this is going to end up in a late stoppage.
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