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

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. 

What channel/stream is Makabu vs. Mchunu?

• U.S.: Fite TV   
• UK: Fite TV   

The fight will be streamed live on Fite TV in both the U.S. and UK. Check the Fite website for availability in all other countries.

Where is the Makabu vs. Mchunu fight?

The fight will take place at the Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio. 

Ilunga Junior Makabu record and bio

• Nationality: Democratic Republic of Congo    
• Date of Birth: November 8, 1987 
• Height: 6' 0"   
• Reach: 74"   
• Total Fights: 30    
• Record: 28-2 (25 KOs)

Thabiso Mchunu Record and Bio

• Nationality: South Africa
• Date of Birth: March 4, 1998  
• Height: 5' 11"   
• Reach: 72.5"
• Total Fights: 28
• Record: 23-5 (13 KOs) 

Makabu vs. Mchunu fight card

• Ilunga Makabu vs. Thabiso Mchunu; WBC cruiserweight title
• Trevor Bryan vs. Jonathan Guidry; WBA world heavyweight title
• Alonzo Butler vs. Ahmed Hefny; NABA gold heavyweight title
• Johnnie Langston vs. Nick Kisner; NABA cruiserweight title
• Jaymon Woods vs. Shawn Miller; Cruiserweight
• Cody Wilson vs. Tre'seasn Wiggins; NABA welterweight title
• Michael Moore vs. Anthony Leak; NABA middleweight title