Ilunga Makabu definitely had Canelo Alvarez on his mind Saturday night. However, the WBC cruiserweight champion didn't make the most impressive statement to get the boxing superstar's attention.
Makabu produced a split decision win over Thabiso Mchunu to retain his title at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. Judges scored it 115-113 for Makabu, 115-113 for Mchunu, and 116-112 for Makabu, giving the Congolese fighter the too-close-for-comfort victory.
Although the win wasn't dominant enough to make a bout with Alvarez seem intriguing, Makabu went ahead and called the undisputed super-middleweight king out for a fight anyway, even vowing to knock him out.
"Today, I didn't come for a knockout," a victorious Makabu said during his post-fight interview. "I just came to box, to show him that I can box because my next fight with Saul 'Canelo,' I'm going to box and knock you out, baby!"
Despite the excitement to end the night, Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) had his hands full with a game Mchunu. Even when Makabu pieced together power shots, Mchunu was quick to counter, and that was a sticking storyline through the fight.
Mchunu's sharp countering even left Makabu vulnerable to power shots that he was able to eat without much damage.
Still, at least two judges deemed that Makabu doled out more of the impactful punishment than he took and declared him the winner on the cards.
Watching, fans may have gotten the feeling that Makabu wouldn't be in Canelo's league, but that didn't stop him from trying to shoot his shot at the Mexican sensation for what would be the biggest fight of the Congolese boxer's career.
Trevor Bryan delivers split decision win over Jonathan Guidry
Trevor Bryan isn't the first heavyweight champion who probably comes to mind first. The WBA "Regular" titleholder might not have done himself any favors Saturday night in helping to change that either. Bryan dropped a game Jonathan Guidry at the final bell, which helped him toward a split-decision victory. Although the fight should have been ruled a unanimous decision in Bryan's favor, one could argue that he should have finished Guidry earlier in the bout. Nevertheless, judges saw it 118-109 and 116-111 for Bryan, with one inexplicably scoring it 115-112 for Guidry. "I'm so proud he still is the champion, but he's got to be ready to be able to stay champion," said Don King, who promoted the card.