Who won Makabu vs Jack?

Badou Jack beat Ilunga Makabu by technical knockout in the 12th round on Sunday 26th February 2023 at Diriyah Arena, in Diriyah.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Cruiserweight division, which meant the weight limit was 200 pounds (14.3 stone or 90.7 KG).

This contest was for the WBC cruiserweight championship of the world.

This fight appeared on the undercard of Jake Paul's and Tommy Fury's clash.

Makabu vs Jack stats

Ilunga Makabu stepped into the ring with a record of 29 wins, 2 loses and 0 draws.

Badou Jack made his way to the ring with a record of 27 wins, 3 loses and 3 draws.

Ilunga Makabu was the younger man by 4 years, at 35 years old.

Jack had a height advantage of 1 inch over Makabu. Despite this, he had 1-inch reach advantage.

Ilunga Makabu fought out of the southpaw stance, while Badou Jack was an orthodox fighter.

Makabu was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 2 less fights, and made his debut in 2008, 11 months earlier than Jack, whose first professional fight was in 2009. He had fought 55 less professional rounds, 165 to Jack's 220.

Badou Jack was ranked number 2 by the WBA, 3 by the WBC, 2 by the WBO and 7 by the IBF in the 200lb division.

Makabu vs Jack form

Makabu had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had beat Olanrewaju Durodola on 19th December 2020 by technical knockout in the 7th round in their WBC World Cruiserweight championship fight at Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of The Congo.

Previous to that, he had beat Michal Cieslak on 31st January 2020 by unanimous decision in their WBC World Cruiserweight championship fight at Kinshasa, Congo, The Democratic Republic of The.

Going into that contest, he had won against Aleksei Papin on 24th August 2019 by majority decision in their 12 round contest at Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Before that, he had beat Dmitry Kudryashov on 16th June 2019 by technical knockout in the 5th round at KRK “Uralets”, Ekaterinburg.

He had defeated Taylor Mabika on 25th August 2018 by technical knockout in the 5th round at Grand Hôtel de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of The Congo.

Jack had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Richard Rivera on 20th August 2022 by split decision in their 10 round contest at Jeddah Superdome, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Previous to that, he had won against Samuel Crossed on 26th November 2021 by technical knockout in the 2nd round at Motospace Dubai Investment Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Dervin Colina on 6th June 2021 by technical knockout in the 4th round at Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, United States.

Before that, he had beat Blake McKernan on 28th November 2020 by unanimous decision in their 8 round contest at Dignity Health Sports Park, California.

He had been beaten by Jean Pascal on 28th December 2019 by split decision in their WBA World Light Heavyweight championship fight at State Farm Arena, Georgia.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Badou Jack had been fighting more than Ilunga Makabu.

Going to this contest, Ilunga Makabu had last fought 2 years, 3 months and 10 days ago, while Badou Jack's last outing had been 7 months and 9 days ago.

Makabu's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 7 months and 4 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 1 day. In those fights, he fought a total of 41 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 8.2 rounds on average.

Jack's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 3 months and 1 day, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 25 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 36 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7.2 rounds on average.

What time did Makabu vs Jack start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 8:00 PM UTC at Diriyah Arena,, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, which was 3:00 PM EST or 12:00 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 8:00 PM GMT in the UK.

Who broadcast Makabu vs Jack?

Makabu vs Jack was broadcast on BT Sport Box Office in the UK, while the fight was broadcast in the United States by ESPN+ PPV.

What were the odds on Makabu vs Jack?

Ilunga Makabu was a 8/15 (-190) favourite going into the contest, while Badou Jack made his way into the ring at 11/8 (+140) with oddsmakers.