What’s Next For Christian Mbilli?
Christian Mbilli is coming off a unanimous decision over Sergey Derevyanchenko, leaving question marks over whom he fights next.
Mbilli won a unanimous decision against a determined Derevyanchenko, who continued to fight despite having an injured bicep. Mbilli later confirmed that he injured his left hand, explaining why he may not have been able to get the stoppage. He took his record to 28-0, which includes 23 KOs. After his win, Mbilli indicated his desire to take on the best fighters. While that is Canelo Alvarez, getting the Mexican to face him will be tough based on his attitude towards the David Benavidez fight. Here are some alternatives.
Mbilli’s Options
A fight with Jaime Munguia makes sense. The Mexican is coming off a loss to Canelo, making him an ideal opponent to face the Mexican. Munguia has also recently signed with Top Rank, making it easier to make the Mbill fight since they have the same promoter. Munguia will box Erik Bazinyan on September 30. If he comes out with a win, fans could see the Mbilli fight happen next year.
There is also the chance to box Demetrius Andrade. The two-weight world champion has titles at 154 and 160. He boxed David Benavidez in his last fight at 168. Despite starting the fight well, Benavidez overpowered him as he walked down the American. He eventually got the stoppage, leaving the 36-year-old Andrade with his first loss. A fight with Mbilli offers him the chance to get revenge, while a win makes it the biggest name on Mbilli’s resume.
Caleb Plant is also a possibility. Plant is the former IBF Super Middleweight Champion. He has taken on Canelo and Benavidez and is coming up short in both bouts. The experience of doing against an elite fighter will allow Mbilli to test himself against the best. It also offers the winner a chance to secure a potential title shot by beating one of the best in the division.
Elsewhere, there is an outside shot of taking on Chris Eubank Jr. The Brit recently signed a new deal with BOXXER after leaving Wasserman Boxing. Eubank was reportedly in talks to take on Canelo. However, the Mexican chose to pursue the Edgar Berlanga fight instead.
Mbilli Vs. Canelo
A fight with Mbilli allows Eubank to take on a big name, knowing a win boosts his chances of facing Canelo. Meanwhile, Mbilli could expand his brand by fighting in the UK, where such a fight would sell out. But one name who is likely to be off that list is Canelo. Tim Bradley expects Alvarez to avoid him since it is a big risk. Mbilli is in his prime, while Canelo is in the latter part of his career.
“Canelo will stay far away from him [Mbilli] — Tim Bradley…I think in a very peculiar way, Derevyanchenko stole the show by standing upright by surviving by insisting he finish the fight. When [trainer] Andre [Rozier] asked him [Derevyanchenko], ‘Do you want to go?’
“He said, ‘Yes,’ but he didn’t say it with full conviction, but his deeds were his deeds and that will last. Later, when he was asked, there was actually no communication, which was very conspicuous in the corner there. Me witnessing the amount of damage that I witnessed Derevyanchenko take, nobody understands what that does to you. It depends on what’s at stake and what’s on the line, but this is a man that’s 38 years old,” Bradley said
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