(Quebec) Montreal boxer Christian Mbilli is knocking on the door of a lucrative world championship fight against the legendary Canelo Alvarez. But to get there, to land this duel that would change his life, he must first “dominate” his talented Ukrainian opponent, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, on Saturday night.
“To have a chance of winning the world championship, you have to be able to win quite clearly against a guy like Derevyanchenko,” warns coach Marc Ramsay.
Ramsay was answering questions from reporters Thursday at the Videotron Centre. That’s where the gala, which ESPN will broadcast in the United States, will take place. Even promoter Bob Arum is in Quebec City for the occasion.
Where to listen to the gala?
Saturday night’s gala pits Christian Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs) against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) in the final. It will be broadcast at 5 p.m. on ESPN and online on the Punching Grace platform. The preliminary fights will also be broadcast on TVA Sports.
The stakes are clear for Christian Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs). The Frenchman, who has been established in Montreal for years, plays in a division – 168 pounds – locked down by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (61-2, 39 KOs). The Mexican chooses his opponents. And the Montrealer’s name appears more and more unavoidable.
“With Canelo, it’s a big money deal. If Mbilli keeps winning like this, it’s going to be a very lucrative fight,” confirms Bob Arum, the boss of Top Rank.
A complete boxer
Mbilli had been particularly brilliant last January, dominating the Australian Rohan Murdock to the point of forcing his camp to throw in the towel in the sixth round. His progression seems irresistible.
Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs), however, is a tough opponent. No one, even among boxers like Gennadiy Golovkin or Jermall Charlo, has managed to knock him out.
“You have to dominate him, really dominate him. We know that Golovkin didn’t dominate him, Munguia didn’t dominate him… Charlo beat him well, he’s the only one. If Christian can dominate him or even stop him, that would be quite a statement,” notes promoter Camille Estephan, who is expecting around 5,000 spectators in Quebec.
Marc Ramsay says he knows the Ukrainian boxer well, having often seen him in training camps in Montreal. “He’s very well-rounded, a good counter-attacker, a brilliant guy. There are a lot of things to be wary of,” Ramsay notes.
“We’re talking about another level here. Christian is taking it up a notch here. Before, I think his best opponent was Carlos Gongora. Here, we’re facing a guy who bridges the gap between what he’s experienced and a world championship fight.”
A solid training camp
Derevyanchenko did not indulge in any great verbal flights. Through a translator, he said he was ready. “Speed will be my advantage,” or “I have prepared for this battle,” he assured.
Why does Ukraine produce so many great boxers? “Because we have this great desire for freedom,” said the man who had a brilliant amateur career.
Christian Mbilli, for his part, seems prepared as never before. Ramsay told promoter Estephan that he had rarely seen a boxer dominate his training partners in this way, except perhaps the great Artur Beterbiev.
“I hope it’s the last step before the world title. I think it’s going to be a great fight, maybe the fight of the year,” said Mbilli, who has been sharpening his patience since turning pro in 2017, which coincided with his move to Montreal.
Bob Arum thinks another fight may be necessary.
“I think I would give him another fight. [après celui de samedi]because Canelo only fights twice a year, and he fights in September. We should keep Mbilli active,” he said.
“He could fight again in late 2024, early 2025. Then I could talk to Eddy Reynoso and Canelo, who I know well, to see if we can organize something for May.”
A world championship fight between a Quebecer and Canelo Alvarez in May? It almost seems like a science fiction scenario. Yet it is the scenario that Christian Mbilli wants to write, patiently, one chapter at a time. He will have an important one to write on Saturday.