FRANCE needs a superstar, and they need look no further than the super-middleweight division, where they boast two possible challengers for Canelo Alvarez’s unified crown.
One, however, will move forward when Christian Mbilli, 28-0 (23 KOs), and Kevin Lele Sadjo, 24-0 (21 KOs), meet one another in a historic domestic clash with world title opportunities at stake, although it is not guaranteed that the battle will take place on French soil.
Both men were born in Yaounde, Cameroon and moved to France at an early age before picking up boxing, but it was Mbilli who got the nod as an amateur and represented the tri-coloured flag at the 2016 Olympic Games, where he was knocked out in the quarter-final by eventual gold medallist Arlen López.
Mbilli would then get the better of Sadjo later that year before making the switch to the professional ranks and moving to Canada to train under Marc Ramsey, joining a stable that was home to the likes of Artur Beterbiev and Jean Pascal. Mbilli’s debut arrived in February 2017 and finished with a second round knockout of Adrian Arenas in Montreal.
Sadjo debuted four months later and would halt his first 14 opponents on small hall shows, all but one of which took place in France, before stepping up to European level and knocking out Jack Cullen on the Parker-Chisora II card in Manchester to become a European champion in his 17th professional contest.
Sadjo has become synonymous with that belt ever since, holding onto it for over three years despite recent confusion. Mbilli, meanwhile, has caught attention across the pond with a catalogue of devastating knockouts and now finds himself in prime position for a shot at Canelo’s WBC, WBO and WBA marbles, ranked in the top two with the three sanctioning bodies.
Nevertheless, it appears as though ‘Solide’ will opt for the IBF route to tee up a possible undisputed showdown with Alvarez down the line, with a final eliminator now being ordered between he and countryman Sadjo to determine a mandatory challenger for William Scull’s world title.
Speaking with FightsATW.com, Mbilli’s promoter Camille Estephan revealed the reason behind the extended deadline for negotiations for the contest with Sadjo, before adding that the event will take place in Mbilli’s newfound home of Quebec, or in the French capital of Paris.
“We did get an extension because, during the holiday, you can’t find many people at work.
“The IBF was very understanding and gave us the new deadline. The Mbilli fight could go to France or it could go to Quebec City. We should know pretty soon; within the next couple of weeks. We are evaluating both options. We are undecided and gathering data for both venues.
“Mbilli is regarded in France as the top French fighter and Sadjo is very highly respected. It could be one of the biggest fights in French history. It will either go to Paris or Quebec City; it will be one of the two.
“The French were very high on Tony Yoka, but it didn’t go his way. They need a star. Every country needs a star, and hopefully, Mbilli will be the one.”
As for Canelo, the Mexican may well be in talks with Scull himself, as rumours swirl ahead of his assumed return in May, meaning that he could once again be a defending undisputed champion for any future showdown with the victor of Mbilli-Sadjo.
