IF you enjoyed last weekend’s all-action super-middleweight encounter between Christian Mbilli and Lester Martínez, you may be about to get a second helping.
Journalist Alan Dawson, who reported on the Canelo-Crawford chief support bout for Boxing News ringside at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, wrote in this week’s magazine:
“This was the one undercard fight that had truly enthralled the fans. They gave three standing ovations, especially for that final round.”
The judges couldn’t split Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) and Martínez (19-0-1, 16 KOs) after their brutal battle. Glenn Feldman scored it 95-95, Patricia Morse Jarman had it 97-93 for Martínez, while Chris Miglore gave Mbilli the nod at 96-94. Ultimately, Mbilli kept hold of his WBC interim super-middleweight title.
Last night, however, the WBC confirmed a rematch has been ordered. In a statement, the sanctioning body said:
“Following the intense and thrilling bout between Christian Mbilli and Lester Martínez, in which Mbilli defended his interim WBC super-middleweight title and the fight ended in a draw, Martínez’s team requested a direct rematch. Mauricio Sulaimán reported that the request was submitted to the WBC Board of Governors, which unanimously approved the matchup and ordered free negotiations to arrange the rematch.”
Both fighters will now be keeping a close watch on Terence Crawford, who dethroned Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion. Crawford has hinted at dropping back down to middleweight, but whatever his decision, his next moves will surely involve legacy-defining contests and generation-shaping purses. Realistically, neither Mbilli nor Martínez are likely to fit that billing.
That said, their rematch could end up carrying even higher stakes. If Crawford vacates his titles, Mbilli and Martínez could find themselves running it back with a full WBC world championship on the line.
Mbilli, promoted by Eye of the Tiger, continues to carry French hopes at 168lbs. Martínez, meanwhile, represents Guatemala on the world stage and is guided by Brian “Bomac” McIntyre, the long-time cornerman of Crawford, while campaigning regularly on ProBox TV.
