Christian Mbilli-Maciej Sulecki set for June 27 in Quebec City
Christian Mbilli and Maciej Sulecki of Poland are to contest the WBC interim super-middleweight title on June 27 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada, it has been confirmed.
The 29-year-old Mbilli, of France via Cameroon, has established himself as one of the world’s finest at 168lbs, but is among those whose career has been at risk of stalling as a consequence of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s dominance of his division and the few demands placed on the Mexican by the sanctioning bodies.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, I’ve worked so hard to get here, and there’s no way I’m leaving without the belt on June 27,” he said. “I want to salute my opponent for having the courage to accept this challenge. But once we’re in the ring, he’ll have to face all the intensity and rage I’ve built up against those who refused to fight me.”
Sulecki, 35 and who lost to Diego Pacheco in August 2024, said: “Christian Mbilli will not be an easy fight, but I have never felt better. I am in a great place with my team, and everyone is doing their part. On June 27, I will make sure I do mine with a statement in his hometown.”
Also at super middleweight, Erik Bazinyan will fight his fellow Canadian Steven Butler over 10 rounds in the chief support.
There will also be a 10-round heavyweight contest between Arslanbek Makhmudov and Ricardo Brown, a junior-lightweight fight of the same length between Leïla Beaudoin and Elhem Mekhaled, 10-round fights for the junior welterweight Jhon Orobio and the lightweight Luis Santana against opponents who are to be confirmed, and an eight-round fight, against an as-yet-unnamed opponent, for the super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu.
“Christian Mbilli is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today, and this is the moment he’s been waiting for,” said Bob Arum whose promotional organisation Top Rank co-promotes with Camille Estephan’s Eye of the Tiger. “He’s taking on a tough, experienced veteran in Maciej Sulecki, who’s coming off a huge upset. This has all the makings of a firefight in front of one of North America’s best boxing crowds.”
“A world title is on the line, but in Christian Mbilli’s case, it’s also the culmination of a lifetime of work,” said Estephan. “That’s why we’re confident he won’t miss his chance. We saw the beating Sulecki handed to the fearsome Ali Akhmedov, but as we’ve been saying for years now, Christian is on another level.
“The winner of this fight will solidify their position as the top contender to Canelo and [William] Scull’s titles. So, the stakes are sky-high for Christian and for all of Quebec boxing. We’re calling on the entire province to show up in Quebec City to support him on June 27.”
Alvarez and William Scull, the IBF champion, fight for the undisputed title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 3.
