(Quebec) Montrealer Christian Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) wanted to take advantage of his time on ESPN to send a message to the world of boxing, a message to the champion who sits at the top of his division, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
It’s done. Masterfully. The super middleweight (168 pounds) delivered a flawless performance against Rohan Murdock (27-3, 19 KOs) at the Videotron Center in Quebec on Saturday, on the undercard of Beterbiev-Smith.
The boxer from France pounded his opponent so fiercely, hitting him at will with his power shots, that Murdock’s corner threw in the towel after the 6th round. There was simply no more hope for the actor-faced Australian, who left the ring with a swollen eye and bruised face.
But the 28-year-old boxer plays in a category padlocked by Canelo Álvarez, who holds all four titles at 168 pounds. Mbilli is now in the top 5 of all four federations. His promoter, Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM), will now have to find him a worthy opponent. Caleb Plant? David Benavidez? Canelo?
“There are the big TV networks, there is the crowd, there is the performance… Christian couldn’t have chosen a better moment to shine,” said Antonin Décarie, of EOTTM, visibly happy with the performance of her foal. “The people at the WBC assure us that things will change. »
Just before the Mbilli fight, Australian Jason Moloney (27-2, 19 KOs) and American Saúl Sanchez (20-3, 12 KOs) delivered 12 wild rounds. Moloney, a boxer for promoter TopRank, was defending his WBO bantamweight belt (118 pounds). Two talented athletes, of equal strength, who throw without counting. Moloney ultimately retained his title by winning by majority decision (114-114, 116-112, 116-112). The announcement of the verdict sparked boos at the Videotron Center. La Presse had it 115-113 for Sanchez.
The result of the races: two strangers from the crowd who keep the thousands of spectators on the edge of their seats.
The Olympic medalist and latest recruit to date from EOTTM, Imam Khataev (6-0, 6 KOs) took two rounds to dispose of the Pole Michal Ludwiczak (17-14, 6 KOs) during the undercard. Powerful, precise, devastating hook, Khataev has the tools of the hitter.
Leila Beaudoin (11-1, 1 KO) won her rematch against Mexican Elizabeth Espinoza (4-6, 1 KO) in a tight eight-round duel. The judges’ score (78-74, 78-74, 77-75) certainly does not reflect the tough opposition of the Mexican, who was greeted by the crowd as she left the ring.
Beaudoin, originally from Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, said she was satisfied with her fight. “But I injured my right hand towards the end, and for sure I threw it less,” said the woman who is ranked 12th in the IBF.
The talented son of Quebec Wilkens Mathieu (6-0, 3 KOs) manhandled his Mexican opponent, 20 years his senior. At 39 years old, José Arias Álvarez (3-2, 1 KO) was only in his fourth fight. Fast, precise, the jab incisive, Mathieu boxes with the precision of a surgeon. Here we recognize the hand of his trainer, Mike Moffa. No surprise that Mathieu worships Floyd Mayweather. Mathieu won by unanimous decision (40-36, 40-35, 40-35) in a learning fight.
“I felt like I was flying when I heard the crowd,” said the boxer after his victory. I dream of a final in Quebec this year. »
The Italian Dragan Lepei (22-7, 10 KOs) may have regretted the mildness of Florence, where he lives, when he saw the Videotron Center in a blizzard. But his trip to the ring only lasted 57 seconds. Former Turkish Olympian Mehmet Unal (8-0, 7 KOs), now based in Montreal, knocked him to the mat with a thundering left hook, winning by KO. technical.
Mexican Sergio Herrera (7-4, 4 KOs) gave Montrealer Christopher Guerrero (10-0, 5 KOs) a hard time. The two boxers exchanged blow for blow for eight rounds and threw a few defiant phrases at each other that would not fit in a family newspaper. Guerrero won by unanimous decision (79-73, 79-73, 78-74).
Rookie Moreno Fendero (3-0, 2 KOs) had the chance to get the ball rolling. Second Frenchman to join the EOTTM stable after Mbilli, this Chartrain added a stone to his cathedral with a lightning victory in one round over Mexican stooge Victor Hugo Flores (7-3, 3 KOs .).
