Mbilli routs Derevyanchenko, who shows his enormous heart
168 contender notches biggest win; heavyweight Vianello stops Makhmudov in dominant fashion; 135 prospect Mason shines
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Super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli scored the biggest win of his career in a hard-hitting and lopsided decision against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who displayed enormous heart and courage to fight from the fourth round on with a torn biceps in his left arm on Saturday night.
Mbilli pounded Derevyanchenko, who simply would not give in despite taking terrible punishment during the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada, where the Montreal-based Mbilli was the crowd favorite.
While it looked like the fight might be stopped at various times in Derevyanchenko’s corner, he made it to the final bell but the result was academic. Mbilli won 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 to maintain his position as the WBC’s No. 1 contender at 168 pounds and keep alive his dream of a title shot against unified champion Canelo Alvarez. Fight Freaks Unite also had it 99-91 for Mbilli.
“He’s a gladiator. He’s a warrior,” Mbilli said of Derevyanchenko. “He was in a difficult position, but he fought back. I have learned a lot. I’m going to go back home and look at the fight again and have some lessons from this.”
Mbilli was stepping up in competition against a three-time middleweight world title challenger, who had never been stopped despite facing a who’s who of top opponents.
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