Christian Mbilli destroys Maciej Sulecki in 1st round to win WBC interim title, calls for Canelo-Crawford spot
If ever there was a time for Christian Mbilli to make a statement, it was on this night.
All eyes were on the unbeaten super middleweight, including the sport's biggest powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, who called Mbilli by name as a candidate to land on the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Terence "Bud" Crawford Netflix card in September.
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Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) rose to the occasion with a first-round knockout of Poland's Maciej Sulecki. A pair of body shots set up a right uppercut to floor Sulecki for the bout's lone knockdown. Referee Michael Griffin didn't like the former title challenger's body language and stopped the contest at 2:28 of Round 1 on Friday evening at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada.
With the win, Mbilli captured the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title.
Most of the pre-fight buildup focused less on the matchup and more on Mbilli's ability to further establish himself as the dark horse threat in the division. Sulecki (33-4, 13 KOs) did his best to not show any concern for Mbilli's power or super skill level, as they both boxed behind the jab.
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The ring quickly became a much smaller place for Mbilli once he began to land to the body. Sulecki attempted to use more movement but constantly found himself pinned against the ropes.
Mbilli moved in to close the show and executed his plan to perfection. A right hand to the body caused Sulecki to wince and cover up. Mbilli immediately shifted and loaded up with a left hook downstairs.
Sulecki attempted to queue up a right hand but left himself wide open for a right uppercut to the chin. The shot snapped back Sulecki's head as he fell to the canvas.
The count was underway as Sulecki scrambled to make it to his feet. His effort to have the bout continue fell on deaf ears as the fight was instantly brought to a halt.
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Mbilli delivered the third-quickest knockout of his career. It was by far his most significant, considering the pedigree of his opponent. Sulecki's previous defeats came in a failed title bid versus then-unbeaten WBO middleweight beltholder Demetrius Andrade; Daniel Jacobs, a former two-time titlist; and undefeated, rising contender Diego Pacheco this past August.
Fittingly, Mbilli wanted Pacheco as his next opponent and twice attempted to engage in talks with the team surrounding the 24-year-old Southern California native. He instead settled on Sulecki, who was the highest-rated available WBC contender to make the interim title available.
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Friday's win is supposed to ensure a mandatory shot at Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), the undisputed champion whose current dance card is full. Guadalajara's Alvarez is already due to next face Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), Uncrowned's No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter (Alvarez is No. 7) on Sept. 13.
Their superfight will headline the first-ever boxing event at Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders. It is expected to be the sport's most-watched card of the year.
Rather than shame either fighter into facing him next, Mbilli simply hopes that Alalshikh and the Riyadh Season group still holds interest in retaining his in-ring services that evening.
"We hope to negotiate for a fight on the undercard," Mbilli said after Friday's victory. "I'm not calling out either guy."
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Mbilli has now stopped four of his last five opponents. His previous three-fight knockout streak ended when he was extended the 10-round distance by Sergiy Derevyanchenko last August 17 at this very location. Mbilli won a unanimous decision that evening, but was left with a 10-month inactive stretch after failed negotiations with Pacheco (twice) and Kevin Lele Sadjo.
Even with an undercard slot, Mbilli still needs a willing opponent for the assignment. Though, with the larger funding behind the show and Riyadh Season's partnership with Eye of the Tiger Management — several of their fighters are now Ring Magazine ambassadors — that part should finally be a little easier for Mbilli.
Check out full results and highlights of Friday's Mbilli vs. Sulecki fight card below.
Full results
Christian Mbilli TKO1 (2:28) Maciej Sulecki, wins WBC interim super middleweight title | Watch video
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Super middleweight: Steven Butler TKO4 (1:33) Jose De Jesus Macias | Watch video
Heavyweight: Arslanbek Makhmudov KO1 (1:57) Ricardo Brown | Watch video
Light heavyweight: Wilkens Mathieu KO3 (0:44) Adagio McDonald | Watch video
Super lightweight: Jhon Orobio KO1 (2:57) Zsolt Osadan | Watch video
Welterweight: Christopher Guerrero TKO10 (2:28) Sandy Mesaoud
Super featherweight: Leila Beaudoin TKO6 (1:08) Elhem Mekhaled
Lightweight: Luis Santana TKO5 (2:03) Eduardo Estela
Junior welterweight: Wyatt Sanford UD6 Mark Andrejev (60-54, 60-53, 60-53)
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