This is a fight that is really going under the radar this weekend even though its one of four world title fights happening this week. Makabu and Cieslak will be competing for the vacant WBC World Cruiser weight title in Makabu’s native Democratic Republic Of The Congo. This will be Makabu’s second attempt to win the WBC strap after he was beaten by Tony Bellew in his first try at world honors. Cieslak is a 19-0 pro who has had all his fights in Poland so far with none of them giving him a stern test.
Makabu is one of the biggest punchers in the sport with 24 of his 26 victories coming by way of stoppage and most of those within the first 8 rounds. He’s not just a big puncher as he has decent boxing skills though he can be quite vulnerable as because he goes for the KO he gives other fighters opportunities to hit him when he opens up. He’s extremely tough and is willing to fight on the road as proven by his last two fights being in Russia where he was brought in to lose but sprung the upset twice much to the dismay of the Russian fans. This time however he has the home advantage and its certainly going to help him as reports have come out that Cieslak’s manager was robbed in his hotel room and there still isn’t an official venue for the fight which is mind boggling considering its only two days away.
Cieslak has good fundamentals and can punch a little but also has some weaknesses which I think will let him down in this fight. One of the biggest ones is that he throws a lazy jab and leaves it in the air after throwing it instead of pulling it back quickly so that he can’t be countered. He is also very open for the overhand right as he consistently leaves his left hand low for seemingly no reason other than a bad habit which he hasn’t rid himself of yet. If he sticks behind a good jab and keeps his concentration up for 12 rounds he could beat Makabu by decision though i’d be surprised if they gave him the decision in the Congo. I think its more likely that Makabu wears Cieslak down and stops him in the 8th or 9th after the Pole gets caught with a big shot due to his hands dipping of exhaustion. If he could pull the upset off he would become Polands biggest boxing star thats active today and also one of the best away wins for a boxer in years considering how hostile the environment seems to be for him and his team.
Boxing Fulcrum 