Super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli will go into battle against former world title challenger Sergey Derevyanchenko at Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Canada, on Saturday.

Mbilli, rated at No. 1 by The Ring at super middleweight, expects a tough fight against the battle-tested Derevyanchenko.

“There’s no doubt that it will be an action-packed fight,” Mbilli (27-0, 23 knockouts) told The Ring. “He’s not going to hide or run. We’re both offensive fighters. Both throwing a lot of punches.

“Fans won’t want to miss this one. There’s going to be a lot of punches exchanged. I’m going to give him a war.”

However, the 29-year-old also appreciates that there is more to Derevyanchenko that simply his physical strength.

“He’s a complete fighter,” acknowledged Mbilli. “Good counter puncher, good defense. He has good boxing and physical abilities. He’s in great shape and always leaves everything on the ring.”

And that has been evident in giving the likes of Daniel Jacobs, Gennadiy Golovkin, Jermall Charlo, Carlos Adames and Jaime Munguia extremely tough fights.

Christian Mbilli (left) and Sergey Derevyanchenko (right) – Photo by Vincent Ethier Vincent Ethier 2024

While he touched down in some of those fights, none of the aforementioned men were able to stop the durable Ukrainian.

“It’s hard to stop a fighter that is that solid, and that always leaves everything on the ring,” he explained. “You would have to be in terrific shape to stop him, which I think I am. I’m ready, physically and mentally to give him the toughest fight of his career.”

A month after the Mbilli-Derevyanchenko throwdown, Ring champion and WBA/WBC/WBO titleholder Canelo Alvarez will face Edgar Berlanga, rated No. 7 by The Ring. It’s a fight the Canadian citizen admits that, should all be well against Derevyanchenko, he will have one eye on.

“I hope that I’ll be able to get a world title shot after this fight,” said Mbilli.

For now, all Mbilli can do is stay active, continue entertaining and above all winning and then hope that is enough for him to hear his name called.

Camille Estephan, of Eye of The Tiger, is expecting fireworks.

“Christian is in tremendous shape, excellent camp so far,” said the EOTT President. “Timing is so important and we feel he is ready to show the world he is a legitimate threat to all the crowns at 168.

“Obviously the winner between Mbilli and Derevyanchenko will end up in a massive fight. We’re sharpening our tools and August 17 will be a cracker.”

Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) was a highly decorated amateur who represented the Ukraine at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and claimed bronze at the World Championships the year before. Since making the transition to the professional ranks he has scored wins over former titleholder Sam Soliman (TKO 2), contender Tureano Johnson (TKO 12) and former world title challenger Jack Culcay (UD 12).

The 38-year-old is 0-3 in world title fights, however, losing razor-thin decisions to Jacobs (SD 12) and Golovkin (UD 12), while Charlo (UD 12) also beat him. He suffered close loses to Adames (MD 10) and a last round knockdown cost him a draw against Munguia (UD 12).

This looks like a high-contact war of attrition between two shorter, stocky aggressive fighters. Both men are in many ways mirror images of each other in that respect and I expect a thrilling fight. However, Mbilli is the younger man and fresher. That may be the difference.

Nobody has an easy night against Derevyanchenko and this will be no different but in the end, I see Mbilli edging matters in a hard-fought, potentially fight of the year type fight, claiming the decision win.

Mbilli-Derevyanchenko, plus undercard bouts, will be broadcast on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

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