Ilunga Makabu vs. Thabiso Mchunu: Date, fight time, TV channel and live stream

Published: January 26, 2023

A win for Ilunga Makabu could potentially result in a clash with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez later this year.

Ilunga Makabu is set to make the second defence of his WBC cruiserweight title against Thabiso Mchunu in Ohio.

The 34-year-old Congolese fighter has been on a mean streak since his loss to Tony Bellew in May 2016. He has put together a nine-fight winning streak and produced a devastating seventh-round knockout in his last fight against Olanrewaju Durodola at the end of 2020.

Makabu has been linked with a fight against Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at some point in 2022, but that can only happen he gets past Mchunu. A loss to the South African would almost certainly take Makabu out of the running for a 'big money' fight with the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Can Mchunu produce the performance of his career and ruin Makabu's plans, or will the reigning champion take another step towards a potential showdown with Canelo?

Here's everything you need to know about Makabu vs. Mchunu.

When is Makabu vs. Mchunu? date, start time

Date: Saturday, January 29
Main card: 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. GMT
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. GMT

The main card gets underway at 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. GMT with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. GMT. These timings are subject to change due to the length of the undercard bouts.