Two tremendous middleweight sluggers are set to satisfy within the can’t-miss fistic blockbuster of the summer season season.
Unbeaten, Montreal-based contender Christian “Solide” Mbilli will face three-time world title challenger Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko within the 10-round primary occasion on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Videotron Centre in Quebec Metropolis, Canada.
Mbilli has knocked out 85 p.c of his foes, whereas Derevyanchenko has by no means been stopped.
Promoted by Prime Rank and Eye of the Tiger, Mbilli-Derevyanchenko will probably be broadcast dwell within the U.S. on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Sky Sports activities can have protection within the U.Okay. & Eire.
“There are few fighters I take pleasure in watching greater than Christian Mbilli, and I can’t wait to see him carry out in entrance of the super Quebec Metropolis followers,” stated Prime Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “That being stated, he has a tough job with Sergiy Derevyanchenko, one of many nice motion fighters within the sport. This will probably be a Struggle of the Yr contender for nevertheless lengthy it lasts.”
“Derevyanchenko’s achievements converse for themselves. It is a very harmful struggle, however extraordinarily crucial for Christian Mbilli’s development. A victory shouldn’t be solely essential for the continuation of his profession but in addition for Quebec boxing, which, with a big victory, can be in a superb place to host necessary fights,” stated Eye of the Tiger President Camille Estephan.
Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs), a 2016 French Olympian, has been on a knockout rampage since turning professional in 2017. He gained his first 13 fights through the quick route and has maintained his energy whereas stepping up the opposition. Mbilli knocked out former world title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi in 2022 and stopped Demond Nicholson the next yr. He kicked off his 2024 marketing campaign final Saturday with a 40-second stoppage of former British and Commonwealth tremendous middleweight champion Mark Heffron. Mbilli is at the moment ranked within the prime three by all main sanctioning organizations, together with No. 1 by the WBC.
Mbilli stated, “It’s an honor to struggle Sergiy Derevyanchenko. I’ve been listening to about him since I used to be 16, within the novice ranks, the place he defeated a number of Frenchmen. Within the professionals, he has solely fought large names, so it will undoubtedly be my largest struggle so far. I can’t watch for it. It’s going to be a warfare.”
Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs), a 2008 Olympian for Ukraine, gained almost 400 fights as an novice. Now a 10-year skilled, he fell quick in three middleweight title alternatives, together with a cut up resolution defeat to Danny Jacobs in 2018 and a razor-thin unanimous resolution loss to Gennadiy Golovkin the next yr. Derevyanchenko moved as much as tremendous middleweight final yr and misplaced to Jaime Munguia in a spirited Struggle of the Yr candidate. In April, he returned to the win column with a one-sided resolution over Vaughn Alexander.
“I made the choice to maneuver as much as 168 to win a world title. Throughout my total profession, I’ve all the time fought the very best on this planet, and on August 17, it will likely be no completely different,” Derevyanchenko stated. “I’m preventing a tricky opponent in Christian Mbilli, who’s ranked No. 1 within the WBC. If I win this struggle, I anticipate to struggle for a world title subsequent, which has all the time been my final objective. I anticipate August 17 to be a warfare and a Struggle of the Yr-type candidate, and I would be the winner.”
Tickets go on sale Thursday, Might 30 at 10 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster.
