By: Sean Crose
With Mike Tyson by his side, former two-weight world champion Badou Jack hit the ring in Saudi Arabia on Sunday with plans to claim the WBC cruiser class title. Indeed, a win would give the Swedish boxer his third world title in three separate weight classes. First, however, Jack will have to overcome the defending champion, Ilunga Makabu of the Republic of Congo, who is defending his title for the third time. The fight was scheduled for 12 innings.
Jack 27-3-3 played well during the first three innings against Makabu 29-2. The pace wasn’t fast, as it was a cruiser class match. However, it is clear that both men have professional experience. However, Jack can often hit without being hit by the defending champion effectively. However, that all changed when – in the latter part of season three – Makabu was able to land well on his man.
An absolutely thunderous shot in the fourth inning left Makabu bedridden. Makabu was able to get up, but Jack wouldn’t allow himself to be caught fighting recklessly. The man remained patient. Although Makabu was able to keep fighting for the next few rounds, it was clear by mid-round that Jack had good control. Makabu simply couldn’t land better every now and then.
As the fight continued, Makabu was simply outnumbered. In short, Jack is simply a fighter too good for his best. Makabu kept trying, but Jack always appeared to be one step ahead. While the defending champion was able to knock Jack down in the final moments of the ninth round, the nearly forty-year-old Jack has largely displayed a high level.
By the tenth round, Jack had simply beaten his men and it’s worth wondering if the fight really went that far. A terrible punch knocked Makabu down for the second time early in the eleventh round. Once again, the champion was up, but now he is suffering a lot of punishment. In the twelfth and final round, Makabu gave his all, but a good combination from Jack caused the referee to stop the match, awarding Jack the title of third in the world.
