One Last Shot for Badou Jack
By Eddie Sanchez
The upcoming bout between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury is a fascinating one for many observers, though the more hard core boxing fans will have their eyes focused on the undercard headliner. Badou Jack (27-3-3, 16 KOs) will attempt to become a three-weight world champion as he challenges on WBC Cruiserweight Champion, Illunga Makabu (29-2).
The former Mayweather Promotions fighter has earned much respect from his peers for being a ruthless competitior. The former WBC Super-Middleweight and WBA (regular) Light Heavyweight Champion has faced a plethora of tough opponents throughout his career, including a fight against Marcus Browne, which left him with one of the nastiest cuts you will see and an outpour of respect.
Jack, 39, is four years Makabu’s senior, and he will surely have his work cut out for him this coming weekend. Though he is 5-0 in his last five fights, his opponents were less than stellar, and Makabu marks a massive step up in competition that Jack had been accustomed to in his earlier years.
For Makabu’s sake, this is a huge bout in his own right. Badou Jack will be one of the most popular opponents he will have faced, next to Tony Bellew, and given that this will be the main appetizer for Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury, there will surely be some interest from the American audience that he will relish.
Why does this matter you may ask? Over a year ago, Makabu was a rumored potential for for the great Canelo Alvarez. This plan was halted due to a defeat to Dmitry Bivol, but if Makabu can win under these lights, perhaps that opportunity could present itself again. Canelo will return this May in a homecoming bout against the UK’s John Ryder. This will be Canelo’s first fight coming off hand surgery, and if victorious, a list of high-end options include a Dmitry Bivol rematch, Artur Beterbiev (though many hope Bivol and Beterbiev would be consolidated to one option if they are to face each other), David Benavidez (or a Caleb Plant rematch if he loses to the American), Jermall Charlo (if he decides to box again — joking, kind of) and Makabu.
Illunga Makabu sticks out like a sore thumb from that list, though a fight against the Cruiserweight would provide Canelo with an opportunity at a belt in a fifth weight class.
A lot will be riding on this weekend’s fight for many men, both in the ring, and out of it. If Badou Jack is victorious, the Canelo Alvarez possibility not only becomes very real, I would bet that it would be a certainty for him to cap off a fantastically entertaining career.
