Christian Mbilli Proves Too Strong for Sergiy Derevyanchenko in Canada

France’s highly-ranked Christian Mbilli bludgeoned his way to victory by unanimous decision over Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko in a clash between two of the sport’s top super middleweights in Canada.

Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) was unable to stop the always tough Derevyanchenko (15-6, 10 KOs) but in front of a large audience in Quebec City. And for the first time someone beat the Ukrainian without an ounce of controversy to retain regional titles.

Few had seen Mbilli fight, but against a seasoned Derevyanchenko most expected a very tough test for the French fighter. He passed with few hiccups.

The hard-charging fighter barreled in with a two-fisted attack that focused on the body and head. It was clear that defense was not his main concern. Attacking ferociously was his only gear.

Around the third and fourth round Derevyanchenko forced the French fighter from Cameroon to take pause. The Ukrainian fighter shortened his punches and was beating Mbilli to the punch.

Mbilli made adjustments.

Derevyanchenko made a big move with repeated rights in the seventh. But the French fighter took the blows then began to re-establish his attack to the surprise of Derevyanchenko.

The Ukrainian fighter had just been part of the Fight of the Year last year, coming up short against Mexico’s Jaime Munguia. This fight was nothing like that fight. After the seventh round Derevyanchenko seemed more concerned with surviving. But not quitting despite fighting the second half of the fight with an injured left biceps

Mbilli proved stronger and more adaptable than expected. He also showed solid stamina and never stalled his attack mentality. If Derevyanchenko was counting on the French fighter to slow down, it never happened.

No knockdowns were scored by either fighter but after 10 rounds all three judges scored in favor of Mbilli 100-90, 99-91, 98-92.

Other Bouts

A battle between massive heavyweights saw Italy’s Guido Vianello (13-2-1, 11 KOs) use his speed and uppercuts to close the left eye of Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-2, 18 KOs) and win by technical knockout in the eighth round.

Vianello fought from the outside and continually landed right uppercuts. Makhmudov’s eye closed early in the fight and soon was unable to see the punches coming in. He tried vainly to connect with the big punch but was unable to connect.

A combination seemed to knock down Makhmudov who fights out of Canada, but it was not ruled a knockdown. No matter, Vianello scored with big combinations and it was clear the Russian could not see the blows from a closed left eye.

Lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason (15-0) knocked out Mike Ohan Jr. (19-3) in 40 seconds of the second round.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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