Marku vs Kongo Predictions: Welterweights take centre stage

Florian Marku takes on Chris Kongo this Sunday March 31 on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke. This enticing welterweight collision takes place at the O2 Arena in London with Sky Sports Arena broadcasting. Here are my Marku vs Kongo predictions ahead of this 10-round clash.

‘The Albanian King’ is a frequent sight on British cards. Marku lives in London and has boxed on these shores for the majority of his career. The former MMA fighter is unbeaten, with the only blemish on his 14-fight record being a 2020 draw with Jamie Stewart. 

Marku often impresses, providing highlight-reel worthy moments that keep fans on their feet as they await the main event of the shows he boxes on. He needed just one round to knock out Dylan Moran on the Smith vs Eubank Jr II card last September, for example. But for all his viral potential as a spectacular finisher, none of these wins have come against a name opponent. 

Kongo can provide that name for his record. He’s not a world class opponent by any stretch, but he is a step in the right direction. Kongo ran world-ranked Ekow Essuman close in his last fight, dropping a majority decision for the British and Commonwealth titles. Indicators are there that he can provide a sterner test than Marku is used to.

That seems to be the crux of what this fight is about. Boxing can be a cruel business and while Kongo was once viewed as a promising prospect, his two losses in his last four fights have put his status at risk. Another defeat here will see him permanently filed in the drawer marked “opponent”. Kongo will find himself used as a warm body to give rounds to prospects who show the promise he once displayed.

But an upset over Marku would put him back towards the front of the domestic welterweight queue. Harry Scarff now holds the Lonsdale belt at the weight and a victory here could set Kongo up for a shot at the ‘Horrible’ one. This is what makes this an interesting fight. It really is make-or-break. It is refreshing to see fighters take fights with such risk in search of great reward.

Marku is in the same boat. Lose here and his unbeaten record evaporates. But securing a win is a surefire path to bigger fights for the Albanian star. At the age of 31, Marku has to get a move on if he wants to leave his mark on the sport. A packed O2 Arena with a big Sky Sports audience seems like the perfect place to start.

I think he’ll leave that mark too, at least on Sunday. I’m not utterly convinced Marku will ever hit world level, but a good win here could propel him into European contention. Kongo is a durable sort and I think he’ll take Marku the distance. But ultimately, ‘The Albanian King’ will remain on his throne in London. I’m picking Marku on points at 15/8.

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