WBC interim champion Christian Mbilli will face Lester Martinez on September 13 in Las Vegas on the undercard of Canelo vs Crawford.
Less than three months after winning the WBC Interim World Champion title, Christian Mbilli wants to take advantage of the big stage. On September 13, the unbeaten super middleweight (29-0, 24 knockouts) will fight on the undercard of the mega-fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. Then “Solid” will face the powerful Lester Martinez from Guatemala at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (USA).
“Will seize the opportunity”
“I’m honored that ‘His Excellency’ Turki Al-Sheikh thought of me specifically for the Canelo vs Crawford fight card,” said Mbilli. “I will use this opportunity to show him that I am the right challenger for the winner of the Undisputed fight.” The WBC interim champ continued: “I will do this by staying true to my style and myself and delivering a spectacular fight. This win will enhance my status worldwide, underline my greatness – and most importantly show the world who Christian ‘Solid’ Mbilli is.”
One thing is for sure: The super middleweight of the Canadian promotion “Eye of the Tiger” (EOTTM) cannot be accused of resting on his laurels after winning the title. Having already claimed victories over the powerful Ecuadorian Carlos Gongora, the Australian fighter Rohan Murdock and the Ukrainian technician Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Mbilli defeated a fourth top 10 contender on June 27. That evening, “Solid” only needed one round to defeat the experienced Pole Maciej Sulecki and claim the WBC interim belt. He will now defend it for the first time on September 13 – against a boxer who, like him, is feared by many
A battle with risk
“Many consider Lester Martinez to be the most dangerous young boxer currently climbing the world rankings. But Christian doesn’t say no to anyone. Not to Canelo, not to Martinez – not to anyone,” added Mbilli’s head trainer Marc Ramsay. With a knockout ratio of over 84 percent, Lester Martinez (19-0, 16 knockouts) has caused a stir since turning pro. In his very first fight in 2019, he stopped Nicaraguan “Brawler” Ricardo Mayorga in the second round and forced him to retire. In 2024 and 2025, he first dominated Carlos Gongora over ten rounds, then stopped the previously undefeated US talent Joeshon James in the fourth.
A fight with risk – but for Mbilli’s promoter Camille Estephan, it’s worth it. “We’ve been talking about sending Canelo a message for years,” says the EOTTM founder. “But this time we have the chance to deliver it in person – in Las Vegas and in front of millions of viewers on Netflix.”
Text: Press release / Eye of the Tiger