The Democratic Republic of the Congo has produced some of the best boxing talent in the world. From world champions to Olympic medalists, the fighters from the DRC have proven to be some of the most dominant and skilled in the sport.
With a rich history of boxing, the DRC has a long list of renowned athletes, both past and present, who have made an impact in the ring. This article will explore some of the best boxing players in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
1. Ilunga Makabu
Junior Ilunga Makabu is a professional boxer from Congo and South Africa. He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2020 to 2023, culminating in a successful reign as champion.
As of June 2022, he is ranked as the second-best active cruiserweight in the world by BoxRec, Fourth by The Ring magazine, and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
His accomplishments have earned him recognition in the boxing world and placed him among the elite fighters in the sport. He is a testament to the strength and skill of Congolese-South African boxers.
Makabu’s career is a triumph of dedication and hard work, and his commitment to the sport is admirable. He continues to demonstrate his excellence in the ring, and he is an inspiration to many aspiring athletes.
2. Mohamed Siluvangi
Mohamed Siluvangi is a professional light heavyweight Congolese boxer who began his professional career in 1993. He is a highly respected boxer in his home country of Congo and is well-known for his accomplishments in the ring.
Prior to his professional career, he competed in the men’s middleweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Though he did not win a medal at the Olympics, his participation was an impressive accomplishment that demonstrated his skill and commitment to the sport.
Siluvangi’s success in the ring continued as he progressed through his professional career. He has fought in many high profile matches against renowned opponents and has achieved many victories.
He has also earned a world ranking in the light heavyweight division and has continued to be a prominent figure in the sport.
Throughout his boxing career, Siluvangi has been an inspiration to aspiring boxers in his home country, and his commitment to the sport has been a source of pride for the people of Congo.
He is a testament to the potential success that can be achieved through hard work and dedication. His long career and impressive accomplishments are a reminder to all that anything is possible with enough effort and determination.
3. Martin Bakole
Martin Bakole Ilunga is a professional boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the younger brother of World Champion Cruiserweight boxer Ilunga Makabu, who held the title from 2015 to 2016.
Martin is a rising star in the boxing world, having already made his mark in the professional ranks. He began his career in 2013, and since then has gone on to fight in numerous regional and international bouts.
He has been undefeated in all his professional matches thus far and is quickly becoming known for his technical skill and power. Martin has been a successful amateur boxer as well, winning gold medals in the African Championships and All-Africa Games.
Ilunga is a highly motivated and determined fighter, who is sure to make a name for himself in the world of boxing.
4. Doudou Ngumbu
Doudou Mapwanga Kitanda Djike is a highly accomplished athlete from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born in the Congo, he eventually made his way to France, where he currently resides and competes as a professional boxer in the Light Heavyweight division.
Djike is a talented athlete who has achieved great success in the ring. He is known for his powerful punches and his strong defensive skills, which allow him to remain competitive in the highly competitive Light Heavyweight division.
Djike has fought in numerous bouts and has earned many wins in the process. He is highly respected in the boxing world, and his impressive record speaks for itself. Djike is a true example of what hard work and dedication can accomplish.
5. Youri Kalenga
Youri Kayembre Kalenga is an extraordinary athlete from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a professional boxer who has made a name for himself in the boxing world.
He has had a very successful career as a boxer and is currently the former WBA interim Cruiserweight champion. Youri Kayembre Kalenga was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He began his boxing career at an early age and eventually turned professional in 2011.
He has since had a successful career as a professional boxer, winning multiple titles and belts. He has also represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo in various international boxing competitions. In 2016, Youri Kayembre Kalenga won the WBA interim Cruiserweight title.
This was a major accomplishment for him as he was able to gain recognition in the boxing world. He has since held the WBA interim Cruiserweight title for two years before eventually losing the belt in 2018.
Despite this, Youri Kayembre Kalenga still remains one of the most successful Congolese-French boxers in the world. Youri Kayembre Kalenga is an inspiration to many boxers, not only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but all around the world.
His success in the boxing ring has shown that anything is possible with dedication and hard work. He has proven that with enough determination and hard work, one can achieve success, no matter where they come from.
6. Marcelat Sakobi Matshu
Marcelat Sakobi Matshu is an incredible athlete who represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is a professional boxer who has worked hard to make her dream of competing in the Olympics a reality.
In 2020, Matshu achieved that dream when she competed in the Summer Olympics. Her determination and spirit have been an inspiration to many people in her home country and around the world.
Matshu has inspired countless athletes to strive for greatness and never give up on their dreams. Her participation in the Olympics is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her sport.
Her performance in the games was a truly remarkable achievement and she has been praised for her inspiring story. Matshu is a shining example of what hard work and dedication can achieve, and she will continue to inspire people for years to come.
7. Jesus Kibunde
Jesus Kibunde Kakonge is a former professional boxer from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was active in the sport from 2004 to 2016 when he retired from the sport.
Prior to becoming a professional boxer, Kakonge had a successful amateur career, highlighted by a gold medal at the 1999 All-Africa Games.
This gold medal was one of only two gold medals won by his country since it changed its name from Zaire to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997.
Kakonge’s success at the All-Africa Games was a great accomplishment for the nation, and it helped to put the country on the map in the world of boxing. His career is an example of how far hard work, dedication, and determination can take a person in the sporting world.
8. David Tshama
David Tshama is a Congolese boxer who has achieved a great deal of success in his career. He has been the African middleweight champion since 2020, a title that he has held for a year. As an amateur, he competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in the men’s middleweight event.
His impressive performance earned him recognition and respect from the boxing community, both in Africa and internationally. Tshama has worked hard to reach the level he is at today and his dedication to the sport is evident.
He trains hard and is always looking for ways to improve, pushing himself to reach new heights. His passion for the sport is evident and his commitment to excellence is inspiring. He is an example of what hard work and dedication can do to achieve success.
Tshama is a true champion in every sense of the word. His accomplishments in the ring are a testament to his skill and dedication. He is an inspiration to many and his success will continue to inspire many more.
He has the potential to be one of the greats and he is sure to have a bright future ahead of him.
9. Fiston Mbaya Mulumba
Fiston Mbaya Mulumba is a professional boxer from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a highly accomplished athlete, having competed in the men’s lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
This was a huge accomplishment for Mulumba, as he was one of only two athletes from the Democratic Republic of Congo to be selected to compete in the Summer Olympics. He was also the first athlete from the Congo to compete in the lightweight event.
Throughout his career, Mulumba has demonstrated his dedication to the sport, as he has trained and competed in numerous amateur and professional bouts. He has even won several prestigious titles in his native country, including the Congo National Boxing Championship.
His impressive performance at the Summer Olympics showcases the hard work and dedication that Mulumba has put into his boxing career.
He is a true representation of the potential of athletes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and his success should inspire other athletes from the country to reach for their dreams.
10. Gaël Assumani
Gaël Assumani is a talented Congolese boxer who has achieved great success in recent years. He has become a two-time champion of the lightweight division in the Democratic Republic of Congo, winning the title in 2020 and 2021.
Assumani’s rise to the top of the boxing world in his country has been remarkable, showcasing his skill and dedication. He has trained and competed hard to reach the top of his division, and his commitment and dedication to the sport have been rewarded with the two titles.
His success has been an inspiration to other aspiring boxers, showing them that with hard work and commitment, success can be achieved. Gaël Assumani is a true champion and a great example of what can be achieved with determination and hard work.
11. Zack Mwekassa
Zack Mwekassa is a remarkable athlete from the Congo who competes in both boxing and kickboxing in the GLORY organization. He is a former Interim Glory Light Heavyweight Champion and is currently ranked the fourth best light-heavyweight in the world according to CombatPress.com.
At just 32 years of age, Mwekassa has already achieved a great deal of success in the sport and is considered one of the top contenders in the light-heavyweight division.A graduate of the well-known K-1 kickboxing organization, Mwekassa has been competing in the sport for more than a decade.
He began his career in boxing back in 2011, and since then, he has gone on to win several titles and accolades. In 2013, he became the Interim Glory Light Heavyweight Champion.
His impressive record of victories and championships has helped him achieve the fourth best ranking in the world according to CombatPress.com.Mwekassa is an exciting fighter who puts on exciting shows for the fans.
He is known for his aggressive style and incredible striking power.
His passion for the sport is evident in every fight, and it is clear that he loves competing in the ring. Mwekassa has established himself as one of the top light-heavyweights in the world, and his future looks bright.
He is sure to continue to impress audiences with his hard-hitting style and exciting fights. Mwekassa is a remarkable athlete who is sure to continue to make a name for himself in the world of boxing and kickboxing.
12. Herry Saliku Biembe
Herry Saliku Biembe is a boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was able to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in the middleweight division.
Biembe was previously unknown to the public, but he was able to gain recognition by competing in the 2nd AIBA African 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Despite not winning first place, Biembe was able to gain second place in the tournament, only losing to Badou Jack from Gambia in the final. Despite not winning the tournament, Biembe demonstrated his boxing prowess and was able to secure a place in the 2008 Olympics.
His accomplishments are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing, and he is an inspiration to aspiring boxers around the world.
13. Ted Bami
Ted Bami Minsende, also known as “Dangerous” is a former professional boxer who achieved great success in his career. He was the European light welterweight champion and a British light welterweight title challenger.
His impressive list of accolades earned him respect both in and out of the boxing ring. Bami recently retired from boxing and has since become the trainer of his nephew, Isaac Chamberlain, a British boxer.
With his vast experience in the sport, he is the perfect mentor to help Chamberlain reach his goals and become a successful boxer. As a trainer, Bami has a unique insight into the sport and is well-versed in the techniques necessary to become a successful boxer.
His expertise and strong connection to his nephew make him an invaluable asset to Isaac’s career.
14. Meji Mwamba
Meji Mwamba is a boxer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He had the chance to represent his country at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men’s super heavyweight division.
Unfortunately, Mwamba was not able to advance beyond the first round, as he was defeated by Magomedrasul Majidov of Azerbaijan. Despite the disappointing result, Mwamba can take pride in the fact that he was able to represent his nation on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
The experience and exposure of competing at the Olympics will no doubt be invaluable to him as he continues to pursue his boxing career.
15. Thabiso Mchunu
Thabiso Mchunu is a South African professional boxer who has achieved notable success throughout his career. In 2016, he made his first challenge for a world title, the WBO cruiserweight title. He was unsuccessful in his attempt but he continued to strive for greatness.
In 2022, Mchunu made his second attempt at a world title, this time challenging for the WBC cruiserweight title. Unfortunately, Mchunu ultimately fell short of the championship title, but he has still earned the respect of the boxing world.
As of August 2022, Mchunu is ranked as the world’s fifth best cruiserweight according to The Ring, BoxRec and TBRB. This is a remarkable testament to his success and skill as a boxer.
Mchunu has shown that he is a fighter who will never give up and is determined to reach the top. His success and dedication have been an inspiration to aspiring boxers all over the world.
16. Wendo Kolosoy
Antoine Wendo Kolosoy, also known as Papa Wendo, was a legendary Congolese musician. He is often referred to as the “doyen” of Congolese rumba, which is more commonly known as soukous. Soukous is a musical style which combines traditional Kongolese rhythm and son cubano.
Papa Wendo was renowned for his talent and his influence on the development of the genre. He was born in Matadi, Congo in 1925. He began playing music in the 1940s, eventually forming his own band, Victoria Kin. The band was popular in Congo and the surrounding region.
Papa Wendo developed a unique style of incorporating traditional Kongolese rhythms into the music he wrote and sang.
This style of playing was so popular that it eventually evolved into its own genre, Congolese rumba, also known as soukous. Papa Wendo was an important figure in the African music scene, and his influence extended beyond his own country.
He was well-known and respected in the music world and was an inspiration for many other African musicians. He passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as a pioneer of Congolese rumba, and his music continues to be enjoyed by people all over the world.
17. Rund Kanika
Rund Kanika was a boxer from Zaire who competed in the light-heavyweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, he lost his opening bout to Osmond Imadiyi of Nigeria.
Despite this loss, he achieved success in 1987 when he won the gold medal in the light-heavyweight division at the All-Africa Games. Kanika defeated Mustapha Moussa of Algeria in the final to take home the gold.
The victory was a great achievement in Kanika’s career and a testament to his skill and dedication as a boxer. He put his talents to good use in the ring and proved himself to be a formidable competitor.
His impressive performance at the All-Africa Games is an example of what he was capable of. Rund Kanika was a boxing champion who earned his success through hard work and determination.
Conclusion
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has produced some of the most talented boxers in the world. From the legendary Salim Medjkoune to the up and coming fighters such as Mwasi Kadiayo, these boxers have all shown immense talent and dedication to their sport.
The future of boxing in Congo looks very bright, with the potential for even more world-class boxers to emerge in the years ahead. With the right support and resources, Congo could become a major force in the sport of boxing.
