Ilungu Makubu vs. Pawel Kolodziej Cruiserweight World Title Clash Added To Monte Carlo Night of Champions on February 1

New York, NY / Monaco / Johannesburg (December 9, 2013) — A sensational world title clash has been added to “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” on Saturday, FEBRUARY 1, 2014 as South African-based knockout artist Ilunga “Junior” Makubu and undefeated Polish contender Pawel “Hamas” Kolodziej will battle for the World Boxing Association (W.B.A.) Interim Cruiserweight World Title, it was announced today by Rodney Berman, President of African promotional giant, Golden Gloves of South Africa.

“We’re thrilled to add this outstanding world title bout to “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” said Berman. “Makubu had two sensational performances in Monte Carlo this year and he and Kolodziej are both excellent fighters. Adding their world title clash truly enhances what will be an extraordinary card.”

Headlining the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” is boxing’s fastest rising superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin defending his WBA/IBO Middleweight World Titles against top rated challenger Osumanu Adama.

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, now based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the 25-year-old Makubu, 15-1-0 (14KO’s) had an outstanding 2013 with three big wins cementing his status as one of the most feared cruiserweights in the world.

In the highly successful first promotion by Golden Gloves of South Africa in Monte Carlo on MARCH 30th, Makabu destroyed Tamas Lodi with a devastating third round stoppage.

Returning to Monte Carlo on JULY 13th, Makubu looked sensational, soundly beating undefeated contender Dmytro Kucher over 12-rounds for the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight Title.

With a crushing fifth round knockout over highly ranked contender Eric Fields, Makubu defended his title on AUGUST 31st at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa.

“I’m not in the habit of watching fight tapes, but I’ve done so with this guy’s last fight,” said Makabu. “What I see doesn’t bother me, I’m sure I’ll win, no problem. I don’t believe he will be as tough or as good as [my last Monte Carlo opponent] Dmytro Kucher. The only way he can beat me is by working harder than me. I don’t believe that is possible.

“I work with people who will take me to my dream of being another Golovkin or Mayweather. Money is nothing. Boxing is my life. I plan to win, especially as I love fighting in Monte Carlo.”

Makabu is currently world ranked # 3 by the WBA, #5 by the IBF and #11 by the WBO.

Sporting an unblemished record of 33-0-0 with 18 knockouts, Kolodziej is among the most popular fighters in his native Poland and holder of the IBF Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Title, winning the strap in 2012.

Winning all three of his starts in 2013, Kolodziej is coming off a seventh round stoppage of Prince Anthony Ikeji on NOVEMBER 23rd. He is world ranked #2 by the WBA and IBF in addition to #9 by the WBO.

Another title fight on the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” undercard will see former IBF minimumweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi contest the vacant IBO light-flyweight title against Rey Loreto of the Philippines.

Southpaw Joyi, 24-2 with 17 KO’s, has been included on the bill primarily to honour HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, his countrywoman who works tirelessly to further the cause of South African sport.

Loreto, 17-13 with nine KO’s, recently captured the interim Pan-Asian light-flyweight title and is on a run of nine wins from his last 11 bouts.
He’s proven to be something of an upset king. Against all odds, last August he defeated world-ranked former WBA champion Pornsawan Porpramook by technical decision. Two years before, fighting again as a big underdog, he knocked out world-rated Wisanu Kokietgym to annex the Pan-Asian light-flyweight title.

Detailed ticket information for “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” at the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue on the peninsula of Monte Carlo will be announced shortly.

This world class event is exclusively distributed internationally by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm, Octapixx LIVE, and the company is presently in conversation with top broadcasters worldwide to ensure that the “Monte Carlo Night of Champions” can be seen by sports fans everywhere.

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A country rich in sports history, Monaco is home of the world famous Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race and many major international events such as the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters.