WBC Africa cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu has intensified his training ahead of his title defence match against Dodzi Kemeh at the Stadium Basket, Stade Des Martyrs, in Kinshasa, DRC, on September 5, 2025.
The Congolese-South African-French professional boxer was expected to face Charles Manyuchi, but he suffered an injury that forced him out of the fight.
The change in opponent was quickly approved by the African Boxing Union (ABU) President, Houcine Houichi, ensuring the event will continue as planned. This last-minute adjustment highlights the organisation’s commitment to maintaining event continuity and providing high-quality fights for fans.
Makabu, 37, one of the most prominent figures in African boxing, is putting his belt on the line against a dangerous opponent. That’s why he has been training intensely in the gym, eager to prove that he still has a lot to offer the sport.
He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2020 to 2023. As of June 2022, he was ranked as the world’s second-best active cruiserweight by BoxRec, fourth by The Ring magazine, and by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
Dodzi Kemeh, meanwhile, is a professional Ghanaian boxer with a record that consists 25 wins, three losses and a draw. The 34-year-old is coming off a fourth-round stoppage loss to Ferdinand Pilz of Germany in Ghana in March last year.
The fight has generated significant excitement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and promises to be a thrilling bout that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The event is expected to attract thousands of fans to the iconic Stade Des Martyrs, solidifying Kinshasa as a key hub on the professional boxing map in Africa.
The World Boxing Council has named 2025 the “Year of Africa,” and this fight is part of that celebration. The “Year of Africa” commemorates the history, achievements, and splendour of African boxing, with many great fights having already taken place on the continent this year, showcasing the great quality and variety of talent that exists in this beautiful continent.
Speaking from Kinshasa after his arrival on Sunday, Makabu said he thrilled to be involved in a historic tournament to mark the WBC’s Year of Africa celebrations when he defends his title at home.
“I am very happy and proud to be involved in such a high-profile tournament, and in front of my home fans,” he is quoted as saying by Sowetan Live.
“I pushed to bring boxing to my country because I was inspired by the iconic Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight world title fight, which Muhammad Ali won by an eighth-round knockout against George Foreman in Zaire [on October 30, 1974].
“I introduced boxing to my brother Martin Bakole [a former WBO interim heavyweight champ], Reagan ‘Junior Mosquito’ Apanu, IBF international junior middleweight champ Emmany ‘The General’ Kalombo and prospect Aaron Muteba.
“Today I have a project called Trophy Makabu, which gives African fighters opportunities.”
Accoring to Sowetan Live, Makabu is trained in Johannesburg by Damien Durandt, whose Linksfield gym is also home to Apanu, Kalombo and Muteba.
He made his professional debut in SA in June 2008 under trainer Nick Durandt, Damien’s father, who died in 2017.
A former WBC silver champion, Makabu won the Africa title on December 21 when he stopped Egyptian Wagdy Attia in the third round to register his 26th knockout in 30 wins against four losses.
Durandt said: “Makabu is the WBC Africa champion, and it’s important as the African champion to make a defence during the Year of Africa announced by the WBC.”
