“Master” close to a bout with Ilunga Makabu

Mateusz Masternak versus Ilunga Makabu. The interim WBA world title at junior cruiserweight is expected to be at stake in the June bout.

Talk of a possible clash between the Pole and the dangerous southpaw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo had been circulating behind the scenes for quite some time. On Monday, Polish media reported the fight for the first time. Neither Masternak nor his promoters from Sauerland Event have confirmed the reports yet. However, negotiations are well advanced. The bout is expected to take place in June.

“Indeed, we are talking about the second half of June,” promoter Kalle Sauerland tells us. “Mateusz has already been European champion, and now we want to raise the bar. I will not reveal the opponent’s name. I can say, however, that I consider him a better boxer than Grigorij Drozd. Mateusz lost to him in Moscow last autumn and surrendered his EBU belt, so an even greater challenge would await him. When will we reveal our cards? Please wait about ten days,” Sauerland explains.

By raising the bar, the promoter most likely means the interim WBA world title at junior cruiserweight. In February, 26-year-old Makabu was supposed to fight Paweł Kołodziej for it in Monaco, and then face Masternak in New York in the spring. In both cases, however, the plans came to nothing. Everything indicates that the African powerhouse will get his chance in a little over two months. Probably in Europe. Makabu has won 16 fights, 15 of them by stoppage. He has lost only once, just like “Master.”

Denis Lebedev remains the full WBA world champion. On April 25 in Moscow, the Russian will face Guillermo Jones for the second time. The Panamanian won their first, dramatic encounter, but was later caught doping. The title therefore returned to Lebedev. Sooner or later, the winner of the rematch should give the victor of the Masternak–Makabu bout a title opportunity.

Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl