168 contender Mbilli aims to make Sulecki pay for 'difficult journey'
WBC interim title bout headlines on Friday; Jose Benavidez Jr. suspended, win erased after positive cocaine test; Paro scores TKO in return; Quick hits; Show and tell
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While super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli has longed to fight for a world title and would have loved the opportunity to challenge undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez in his next bout it simply was not in the cards, especially now that Alvarez is set for a mega fight with Terence Crawford on Sept. 13.
So, Mbilli, who is the WBC’s No. 1 contender, will fight for the organization’s vacant interim title against veteran former title challenger Maciej Sulecki in the main event of an Eye of the Tiger card on Friday (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET) at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Mbilli may not be fighting Alvarez for the full belt, but he is still quite pleased to have a chance to fight for the interim version.
Winning it would position him for larger purses and also could eventually help him get a shot at the full title or be elevated should it become vacant.
“It’s been a long time. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, but we’ve finally made it,” Mbilli said at Wednesday’s fight week news conference. “We’re making it happen. And Friday will be a day of glory. The belt will be coming home.
“I always say that after such a difficult journey, this entire training camp, and all the ups and downs, there has to be someone who will pay the price. And think Sulecki will have to pay for it on Friday.”
