WBC World cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu blasts Olanrewaju Durodola away in the seventh

Makabu KOs Durodola in seven

World Boxing Council cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25KOs) made the first successful defense of his title by knocking out Olympian Olanrewaju Durodola (34-8, 31KOs) in the seventh round this Saturday night in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both fighters have knocked out all but three of their victims, so fight fans were in for fireworks, for sure.

Reigning champion Makabu started with his authoritative jab, keeping his rival at a distance, who was an African champion and former WBC Silver titleholder. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he represented his home country Nigeria and also went to the 2009 Milan World Amateur Championships too.

Kansas-based Durodola fought back and looked better in the third segment, tagging Makabu, who was looking to strike back with powerful counters.

In the fourth and fifth rounds, the champion made use of his great experience and managed to hurt Durodola with power punches.

In the sixth stanza, the 40-year-old Nigerian fighter looked fatigued by the punishment received, which Makabu took advantage of and continued connecting ruthlessly.

The end came in round seven when, after an attack from Durodola, who was hoping to connect effectively, was countered by 33-year-old Makabu with a powerful left which sent him crashing to the canvas. Despite his efforts to beat the count, he could not continue, as referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia saved him and stopped the fight.

Makabu improved his record to 28 wins with 25 knockouts and only two reverses - to Tony Bellew in 2016 and on his disastrious pro debut in 2008.

The supervisor of the championship contest was the vice president of the WBC, Tunisian Houcine Houichi.

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