Makabu under scrutiny
KUCHER WON T JUST LIE DOWN
THOMAS Oosthuizen’s poor performance in his drawn 10rounder with Brandon Gonzales America last month has put pressure on stable-mate Ilunga Makabu to perform above himself in Monaco on Saturday.
Makabu will face Dymtro Kucher for the vacant WBC Silver cruiserweight title.
The boxer from the Democratic Republic of Congo is Oosthuizen’s gym-mate at the Hammer Gym of trainer Harold Volbrecht in Johannesburg..
The left-handers fights under the guidance of promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves promotions, which will stage the Million Dollar Super 4 final at Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo.
Russia’s Denis Grachev and American Edwin Rodriguez will fight for the Super 4 title, while unbeaten Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev will defend his WBA and IBO light-welterweight titles against Frenchman Souleymane M’baye.
Maksym Bursak of Ukraine will put his European middleweight title on the line against Englishman Prince Arron.
The tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Makabu made an impression in Monaco on March 30, when he stopped Tamas Lodi in three rounds. That fight – Makabu ’ s second under Volbrecht after he parted ways with long-time trainer Nick Durandt – was part of the first leg of the Million Dollar Super 4.
The former WBF and IBF Youth titlist will be up against a formidable opponent in Kucher, the former undefeated WBC International and WBC Silver champion who boasts 15 shortroute wins from 21 victories in as many fights. The fighter from Ukraine is described as durable and relentless.
Golden Gloves is quoted on its website saying: ‘‘ Makabu is very much a mood fighter, taken to delivering when he feels like it. Promoter Rodney Berman will no doubt emphasize the need to be direct and impressive. Anything less will jeopardize Makabu’s chances of advancing in the division.
‘‘ It is understood that Berman has a major bout planned for the DRC native at Emperors Palace in August – contingent on him taking the title off Kucher.”
Makabu, who boasts 15 KOs from 15 wins against one loss, has also been warned by Golden Gloves that he is unlikely to dispatch Kucher early.
‘‘ He will require patience, accuracy and a cool head to overcome what reckons to be his toughest challenge. The Ukrainian isn’t a concussive onepunch hitter, but Makabu would do well to keep his hands up and apply the pressure from his end. If nothing else, the local crowd at the Grand Salle des Etoiles on the Monte Carlo sea shore will be backing Makabu, a fellow French speaker. He will need every bit of help he can get.”