Christian Mbilli still awaits an update on his next opponent but was given very good news on his current title status.
The unbeaten super middleweight was upgraded to full WBC 168lbs titleholder, the sanctioning body confirmed Tuesday. Mbilli received the honor, per a ruling made during the WBC’s weekly “Martes de Café” press conference in Mexico City.
“I earned my world title through hard work, discipline, and merit,” Mbilli told media members upon learning the news. “I promise to double down on my standards and intensity—in training and in every aspect of my life—to defend it and remind everyone why I’m at the top.”
Mbilli, 29-0-1 (24 KOs) was previously recognized as the WBC interim super middleweight titlist. He earned the secondary belt following a 1st round knockout of former title challenger Maciej Sulecki last June 27 in Quebec City, Canada.
One defense followed, a ten-round draw with Lester Martinez in one of the best fights of 2025. It took place last September 13 on the undercard of the Terence Crawford-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez Netflix event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs) dethroned Mexico’s Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs) to become the undisputed 168lbs champion that evening. The unbeaten five-division titlist has since retired from the sport, having parted ways with all his remaining major titles and The Ring championship.
Prior to his exit from the sport, Crawford was stripped of the WBC belt for failure to honor their previous sanctioning fee agreement. However, Mbilli remained the interim titlist and was instructed to enter talks with England’s Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant full WBC 168lbs title.
As previously reported by BoxingScene, WBC officials opted to cancel that ordered matchup outright, just ahead of a scheduled purse bid hearing last Tuesday. Sheeraz, 22-0-1 (18 KOs) has yet to make a firm decision on his next move, though it is widely speculated that he will instead face Diego Pacheco, 25-0 (18 KOs) for the vacant WBO title, pending Friday’s purse bid hearing.
Meanwhile, Mbilli – a Cameroonian Frenchman based in Montreal – is now likely next destined to face Guatemala’s Martinez, 19-0-1 (16 KOs) in rematch. Martinez is the next highest ranked available challenger, since Alvarez has already confirmed that he will not return to the ring until
September as part of a Riyadh Season event.
Regardless of next steps, Mbilli and his team are pleased with recent developments.
“We’re extremely happy with this crowning achievement for Christian and the team after so many challenges and sacrifices,” said Camille Estephan, Mbilli’s promoter and head of Eye of the Tiger Management. “This is only the beginning—the best is yet to come.”
