CHRISTIAN MBILLI has been in hot pursuit of Canelo Alvarez, and the undefeated 30-year-old now fights on the undercard of the undisputed champion this Saturday night. There, he is tasked with his toughest test to date, as he meets with fellow unbeaten 168lb contender, Lester Martinez.
Based in Montreal, Cameroon-born Frenchman Mbilli, 29-0 (24 KOs), has emerged as the crown jewel of Eye of the Tiger Promotions and his knockout power, composure and finishing instincts have seen him emerge as a genuine threat to the super-middleweight world titles.
Last time out, the Rio 2016 Olympian made easy work of Maciej Sulecki, stopping the former world title challenger in the opening round of their clash in Quebec to claim the WBC Interim belt.
Now, there is a sense that ‘Solide’ has completed his apprenticeship and is ready for a shot at the big time. On Saturday night, Mbilli seeks to make good on his opportunity under the spotlight, as he fights on the standout card of 2025.
However, Mbilli is sure to be tested, matched up against Terence Crawford’s sparring partner, Lester Martinez, 19-0 (16 KOs), in an intriguing battle where somebody’s ‘0’ has got to go.
In 2018, Martinez became the first Guatemalan in 68 years to win the Central American and Caribbean Games, defeating highly regarded Cuban Arlen Lopez in the final and turning pro the following year.
Since then, Martinez has impressed in the paid ranks, but it is his last two displays that have seen him establish himself as a title threat, with plenty picking him for the upset against Mbilli as a result.
After getting his hands on the WBC Latino title, the 29-year-old then scored a dominant career-best points victory over former IBO champion Carlos Gongora which made heads turn and forced rivals to take note.
In his lone outing of the year, Martinez then knocked out Joeshon James within four rounds to capture the WBA Continental title and prompt a move up in the rankings, currently positioned as the WBA #3, WBC #7 and WBO #15 contender.
The winner of Mbilli-Martinez will be hopeful of a shot at the victor of Canelo-Crawford, but victory could also potentially crown a new champion, if ‘Bud’ comes out on top and then either vacates the WBC belt or hangs up the gloves.
Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez Fight Prediction
This could well prove to be the fight of the night, or of the week due to the extension of the Canelo-Crawford bill, as two of the super-middleweight’s division most powerful knockout artists go toe-to-toe.
Both men have shown solid chins throughout their professional careers, banking on their beards, willing to take a shot to land one.
However, neither man has faced such a capable puncher as the one they will meet on Saturday, and as a result it’s hard to see this one going to the judges, with defensive flaws likely to be prove both consequential and concussive.
With the Frenchman boasting the superior defence, Boxing News expects a brutal battle of attrition, where Mbilli eventually finds a breakthrough during the second half of the contest to walk away with a statement stoppage win.
