Christian Mbilli: Sergiy Derevyanchenko Fight Will ‘Show The World How Great I Am’
Christian Mbilli believes Sergiy Derevyanchenko is the ideal opponent for him to show the world his greatness as the super-middleweight contender aims to take a big step closer to a world title shot.
Mbilli (27-0-0 23 KO) will put his WBC Continental Americas title on the line against the dangerous Derevyanchenko (15-5-0 10 KO) in the headline bout at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada on Saturday night.
It will be Mbilli’s third fight of 2024 following a sixth-round stoppage win over Rohan Murdock in January and a 40-second destruction of Mark Heffron in May. Derevyanchenko, though, represents the toughest challenge of his career.
The Ukrainian may have five losses on his record, but three came against world champions – Daniel Jacobs, Gennady Golovkin, and Jermall Charlo – while the other two were against top-level fighters Carlos Adames and Jaime Munguia.
Aside from Charlo, the rest were close fights. He lost a split decision to Jacobs, a majority decision to Adames, lost by three rounds to Golovkin, and would have claimed a draw against Munguia had the Ukrainian not been knocked down in the 12th round.
“We’ve been looking for this kind of an opponent for a long time,” Mbilli told BoxingScene. “Derevyanchenko has fought a lot of champions. I think he’s the best kind of fighter for me to show the world of boxing how great I am. I have to be the best at everything [to beat him] – technically, physically, speed – everywhere. That’s what I am training for.”
The 38-year-old Derevyanchenko, an accomplished amateur who didn’t turn pro until he was 28, has notably never been knocked out, and Mbilli believes a stoppage win would make a massive statement. That said, the French-Cameroonian is prepared to go the distance.
“I see a very tough fight. I’m either going to knock him out or have a unanimous decision,” said Mbilli. “I’m going to put everything I have into the fight. It’s going to be a spectacular fight.
“If I knock him out, it will be perfect. But I don’t go in there for knockouts. I look to beat them up round by round. If I have any opportunity to knock him out, I am going to take it.”
A victory would inevitably put Mbilli right in contention to challenge for a super-middleweight world title. The 29-year-old is already the WBC’s No 1-ranked challenger in the 168lbs division, No 2 with the WBA, and No 3 with the WBO and IBF.
At present, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez holds three of the super-middleweight belts after the IBF stripped the Mexican of its title for his refusal to fight mandatory challenger William Scull, leaving the IBF title vacant. Canelo makes the next defense of his unified titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 21, after which the picture should become clearer for who the winner could fight next.
There is speculation that Mbilli could fight fellow Top Rank-promoted Munguia should both win their upcoming bouts – Munguia fights Erik Bazinyan on September 20 – and ‘Solide’ insists he’s ready for whatever big fights come his way.
“Hopefully after this fight, I will come to the United States and put on a great performance there,” said Mbilli. “I’m 29 years old now and at my best physically and mentally. I am ready for the big fights.”
