Loads of pressure will be on highly hyped contender Christian Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs) tonight in his ten-round super middleweight fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) in their fight on ESPN and ESPN+ at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Tonight’s event starts at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN+. The prelims begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Boxing247 will give live updates and results of the Mbilli vs. Derevyanchenko event below.
Mbilli is a fighter with much to prove. Although he’s ranked #1 WBC, he’s not beaten anyone notable to receive that high ranking by the World Boxing Council. Fans have criticized him for having fought terrible opposition, but he still looked impressive in many of his fights.
Derevyanchenko, 38, is a former three-time world title challenger who should still be unbeaten and fighting at a high level. He will be a test for Mbilli to show whether he’s got the talent to challenge for a world title against WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez next. That’s the fight Mbilli wants for obvious reasons. There’s big money available to Mbilli if he can get the Canelo fight.
Mbilli has looked terrible in fights against Carlos Gongora, Rohan Murdock, and Vaughn Alexander. Top Rank hopes Mbilli has improved enough since then to defeat Derevyanchenko tonight.
Undercard:
In tonight’s undercard, heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-1, 18 KOs) and Guido Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs) fight in a ten-round clash that reeks of a last-chance saloon type of match-up. Makhumudov was recently knocked out in four rounds by Agit Kabayel, whereas Vianello lost his last fight against Efe Ajagba.
Given the two fighters ‘ recent performances, Makmudov vs. Vianello should be in the prelims rather than the main portion of the card. Casual fans like watching heavyweights, so the inclusion of Makmudov-Vianello on the main card is likely due to that.
Prelims at 5 pm. ET on ESPN+
In a ten-round contest, Cuban super middleweight Osleys Iglesias (11-0, 10 KO) fights Sena Agbeko (28-3, 22 KO). The wiry 6’2″ southpaw Iglesias has good power in his right hooks.
Although Iglesias doesn’t look as talented as Cuban David Morrell Jr., he can punch, and he should be able to score a quick knockout of Agbeko. Morrell knocked out Agbeko in the second round of their fight last December. So if Iglesias can get Agbeko out faster, it would say a lot about him.
Lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs) faces Mike Ohan Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Mason looks destined for world title honors and could eventually rip the WBC title from champion Shakur Stevenson once Top Rank lets him fight for the belt.
They’re holding the 20-year-old Mason back due to his youth, but he’s ready to face top-level opposition.
