BoxRec

CHRISTIAN MBILLI SET TO CLASH AGAINST CARLOS GONGORA ON MARCH 24 IN CANADA

A clash between super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli and once-beaten Carlos Gongora will take place on March 24, promoter Camille Estephan announced on social media on Monday. Lou DiBella, who promotes Gongora, confirmed with The Ring Monday evening.

The 12-round bout will likely take place in the Montreal, Canada area, where Eye of the Tiger Management, which is run by Estephan, is based.

Mbilli (23-0, 20 knockouts), who is originally from Cameroon and now resides in Pornic, France, is ranked No. 5 by The Ring. He last fought on December 17, defeating gatekeeper Vaughn Alexander by unanimous decision. The victory over Alexander took place over three months after Mbilli knocked out DeAndre Ware in the second round.

The 27-year-old notched one of the most devastating stoppages of 2022 on March 26, scoring a highlight-reel, one-punch knockout win over former world title challenger Nadjib Mohammedi. Mbilli also has dominating wins over Ronald Ellis and Jesus Gutierrez.

At their convention in October, the WBC ordered Mbilli to face Ali Akhmedov in a world title elimination bout this year. No word if the WBC will allow the fight between Mbilli and Gongora to still be a WBC elimination bout, although both are ranked amongst the top 10 in their sanctioning body.

Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) last fought on August 13, stopping Oscar Riojas in the fourth round. In his previous fight in December 2021, Gongora lost by split-decision to Lerrone Richards.

The 33-year-old, who is originally from Ecuador and now resides in Boston, Massachusetts, scored a breakthrough victory against Akhmedov in December 2020. Down on all three judges’ scorecards entering the last round, the southpaw Gongora was able to batter Akhmedov before the fight was stopped.

According to DiBella, the fight between Mbilli and Gongora is a world title eliminator.

#MbilliGongora is a LEGIT #boxing title eliminator with two top guys putting it all on the line,” DiBella posted to his Twitter account. “Credit to Mbilli and Estephan for taking this challenge.”

In the co-feature, hard-hitting heavyweight Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs), who resides in nearby Trois-Rivieres, will face former world title challenger Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs) of Weslaco, Texas.

Press Release

After impressing boxing fans in 2022 with explosive performances that propelled him to the peak of the rankings, Christian Mbilli (23-0, 20 KOs) is looking to continue his success in 2023.

On March 23, he will confront his first adversary of the year, as he puts his WBC and WBA International Continental of the Americas titles on the line against heavy-hitter Carlos Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) in the main event of a Cabaret du Casino de Montréal event, simulcast starting at 7:00 pm on www.punchinggrace.com, as well as on ESPN+ in the United States.

Thanks to his victories over Nadjib Mohammedi, DeAndre Ware, and Vaughn Alexander last December, Mbilli finds himself sitting at second place in the WBC rankings, 5th in the WBA rankings, and 7th in the IBO rankings. 2023 will be a pivotal year for his development and for his quest for a word championship fight, and his opponents will leave him very little room for error, as EOTTM general manager Antonin Décarie points out.

“Christian never ceases to impress me. Fight after fight, he showcases not only his talent but also his earnestness, and his will to win and to face the very best. Gongora is not only the strongest opponent he has ever faced, but also one of the best fighters to have climbed into the ring at the Casino de Montréal. He’s much bigger than Christian, a southpaw with enough punching power to quickly put an end to the fight at any time. He is exactly the type of boxer we usually want to avoid,” Decarie said.

Gongora's impressive ring smarts, acquired as an amateur in two Pan-American Games, in 2007 and in 2011, and in the Olympics, were a solid foundation for his professional career. He won the world IBO super middleweight title against rising star Ali Akhmedov, and held it until December 2021, when he lost a split decision against Lerrone Richards.

In the semi-final, Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) will confront American Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Details of the undercard featuring Mary Spencer (7-1, 5 KOs), Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs), Leïla Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO), and Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) will be revealed shortly.

Press Release | Undercard Information

Eye of the Tiger’s March 23 event at the Casino de Montréal is set In the main event, Christian Mbilli (23-0, 20 KOs) will defend his WBC Continental of Americas and WBA International titles against Ecuadorian heavy-hitter Carlos Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs).

The event will be simulcast on the Punching Grace network and on ESPN+ in the United States as of 7:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

In the semi-final, Trois-Rivieres native Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) will face off against 6′ 6″ veteran Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs) in a duel long-awaited by both pugilists. Having clashed with some of the heavyweight division’s most talented boxers, such as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, in world championship fights, Molina is an experienced heavy hitter.

Says Kean, “I see the fight against Eric Molina as the key to the treasure chest, a way to open the door to world championships.”

Returning from her heart-breaking loss against Femke Hermans, Mary Spencer (7-1, 5 KOs) has been doubling down on her training, as she is more determined than ever to reach her goal of becoming world champion. For her 9th career match, she will be confronting seasoned boxer Ogleidis Suarez (30-5-1, 14 KOs), who is no stranger to Québec, having fought Marie-Ève Dicaire for the IBF title in 2019.

Steve “The Dragon” Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) will challenge Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2, 16 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder. The fight’s outcome will be decisive for the Alberta native, who aspires to a championship fight in 2023.

A few weeks ago, EOTTM announced the signing of Marc Ramsay’s newest protegé, Colombian boxer Jhon Orobio. Orobio has an impressive amateur record on the international scene, capped by his bronze medal at the 2021 Belgrade World Championship.

2022 was a pivotal year for Temiscouata native Leïla Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO), who climbed into the top-10 world rankings of her division and claimed 9th place in the WBA ranking. She will confront undefeated Mexican Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs) in her first 8-round fight. Also featured on the undercard is Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs), who, in in his 9th fight, will face off against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs). Wilkens Mathieu (1-0, 1 KOs), the new EOTTM recruit who has been causing quite a stir since his KO victory in his first professional fight on February 2, will be fighting Fabian Cordova Martinez (5-4). Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (3-1, 1 K.O.) will face Princess Hairston (2-1-1, 2 K.O.), while Jhon Orobio will make his professional debut against Alejandro Medina De La Rosa (2-1, 2 K.O.).

Good fight this. I feel its genuinely 50 50. I rate Gongorra. He's very awkward

Fight Week!!

Press Release | Mary Spencer Suffers Hand Injury, Withdraws From Card

Bad luck won’t let up for Mary Spencer (7-1, 5 KOs) and her clan—the boxer recently suffered a hand injury while sparring. As a result, her fight against Adriana Dos Santos Araujo (6-1, 1 KOs) has been pulled from the undercard of the Christian Mbilli vs. Carlos Gongora fight at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal on March 23.

Spencer and her team will follow doctor’s orders so she can recover and get back into action as soon as the time is right after she has fully recovered.

The sold-out Eye of the Tiger event on March 23 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal will start at 7:00 pm and includes 8 fights. The event will be broadcasted simultaneously around the world starting at 7:00 pm online on Punching Grace as well as on ESPN+ in the United States, ESPN Latam in Latin America and RMC in France.

In the co-final, Trois-Rivières native Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) will face off against 6′ 6″ veteran Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs) in a duel pursued by both pugilists.

Having clashed with some of the heavyweight division’s most talented boxers, such as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, in world championship fights, Eric “Drummer Boy” Molina is an experienced heavy hitter.

CHRISTIAN MBILLI ‘LOOKING NOT ONLY FOR A KNOCKOUT BUT A BIG WIN’ AGAINST CARLOS GONGORA

On Thursday, all-action super middleweight Christian Mbilli will face once-beaten Carlos Gongora at the Montreal Casino, Montreal, Canada.

Mbilli, rated No. 5 by The Ring at super middleweight, is under no illusions as to the task in front of him.

“I think it the most difficult test of my career,” Mbilli (23-0, 20 knockouts) told The Ring. “I think it will be a good fight, a big statement for my career – I’m ready to go now.”

Mbilli, who was born in Cameroon but moved to France as a child, was a standout amateur. He won gold medals at the European Youth and European Union Championships and later represented his adopted homeland at the 2016 Olympics, losing at the quarter-final stage to eventual gold medalist Arlen Lopez.

“Solide” decided to move to Canada to pursue a professional career in early 2017.

Since then, 27-year-old has impressed scoring notable wins over Ronald Ellis (UD 10), Nadjib Mohammedi (KO 5) and DeAndre Ware (KO 2).

Mbilli knows Gongora is more than capable of giving him a very difficult evenings work

“[Gongora’s] a very good boxer, he is very dangerous,” said Mbilli. “I think he’s a counterpuncher and I’m an offensive puncher. I think it will be a great fight for all the fans.

“For me, it’s good because he has good rankings. For my next step, to be a world champion, this is very good for me.”

While Mbilli didn’t have to face the tall southpaw, he knows that a win would put down a marker ahead of other big fights in coming weeks and months at 168-pounds.

“I’m looking not only for a knockout but a big win, I don’t want to leave any doubt or any questions,” he said. “We have a lot of problems to get opponents, for us it’s good because he was the only boxer who wanted to fight me.

“After this fight, I’m going to watch Caleb Plant and [David] Benavidez because I hope after this fight, I maybe have the winner. I’m ready for that. For me, it’s 50/50. Caleb Plant is very good technically and Benavidez physically is very good. If it’s points maybe Plant, if it’s a knockout maybe Benavidez.”

Mbilli’s trainer, Marc Ramsay, wanted to match his fighter aggressively and believes a victory will justify the risk of facing someone as potentially difficult as Gongora.

“We have no obligation to organize a fight of that magnitude, we feel he’s ready for this type of challenge,” said Ramsay. “At some point if you want to reach the objective of being world champion you need to fight any kind of fighter any style, southpaw, orthodox, counterpuncher, puncher, you need to deal with all those aspects.

“We were supposed to fight Ali Akhmedov for the [WBC] No. 1 spot, Akhmedov refused the fight and we decided to look for the best guy possible and Carlos Gongora raised his hand and said he was ready for this fight. We’re happy to have that kind of calibre of opponent.

“You can wait for the big fight when the TV station or big promoter want to do something, or you can force them and this is what we’re trying to do with Mbilli now. I think it’s a good window now to show Christian in this type of fight. When you look at Gongora there are not a lot of guys between him and [John] Ryder, Plant and those guys. For us it’s just the next step.”

Camille Estephan, of Eye of the Tiger Management, feels the timing of this match up in perfect.

“Obviously, Gongora is a very meaningful opponent,” said Estephan. “It’s probably the best opponent in Christian’s career so far. It’s two guys nobody wanted to fight – they’re fighting each other. There’s [regional] titles on the line and rankings on the line.

“It so happens there’s movement with Benavidez and Plant two days later on Showtime. If Christian can do his thing, we’ll be in a strong position to challenge for a world title, and the ultimate goal is Canelo.”

This looks like a very even fight, on paper. Mbilli will bring steady pressure and looks to back up Gongora. That will suit the South American, who likes to use his southpaw skills on the outside. I expect an evenly contested fight but feel Mbilli’s greater work ethic will see him home by hard fought by deserved unanimous decision.

Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) was a talented amateur, who notably represented his homeland of Ecuador at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as well as a slew of other international tournaments. He moved operations to America and began his professional career in 2015.

The now 33-year-old southpaw’s early career was something of a slow burn until he scored a come from behind knockout over previously unbeaten Akhmedov (KO 12) in December 2020. Two fights later he lost his own unbeaten record when he was edged out by Lerrone Richards (SD 12).

Mbilli-Gongora, plus undercard bouts will be streamed on ESPN+ starting at 7:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. PT.

Top Rank Press Release

U.S. boxing fans can watch a Canadian boxing show on ESPN+ tomorrow (Thursday) when super middleweight knockout artist Christian Mbilli takes on two-time Ecuadorian Olympian Carlos Gongora in a ten-round main event from the Montreal Casino. Mbilli-Gongora and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+ on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Mbilli (22-0, 20 KOs) is a 2016 French Olympian who is inching closer to a world title opportunity. The 27-year old is coming off a successful 2022 in which he scored knockout wins over Nadjib Mohammedi and DeAndre Ware, along with a decision victory last December over Vaughn Alexander.

Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs) represented Ecuador in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics before turning pro in 2015. In 2020, he scored an upset knockout victory over Ali Akhmedov. He then stopped Christopher Pearson in 2021 before losing a close decision to Lerrone Richards. The 33-year-old southpaw is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Oscar Riojas last August.

In other streaming action from Montreal:

Canadian Olympian Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) faces his stiffest challenge yet against two-time world title challenger Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs). Kean was 15-0 with 14 knockouts before an upset loss to Dillon Carman in 2018. He avenged that loss the following year as part of a seven-fight knockout win streak.

Junior welterweight Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) will attempt to score his fifth straight KO victory in a ten-round tilt against Mexico’s Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-2-2, 16 KOs).

Lightweight Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) returns to the ring in an eight-round fight against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-4, 6 KOs) of Veracruz, Mexico.

In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights, Canada’s Leila Beaudoin (8-0, 1 KO) will collide against Mexico’s Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.

Main Card (ESPN+, 7:00 pm ET)

10 Round Super Middleweight Bout
Christian Mbilli (23-0, 20 KOs) vs Carlos Gongora (21-1, 16 KOs)

10 Round Heavyweight Bout
Simon Kean (22-1, 21 KOs) vs Eric Molina (29-8, 21 KOs)

10 Round Super Lightweight Bout
Steve Claggett (33-7-2, 23 KOs) vs Rafael Guzman (26-2-2, 16 KOs)

8 Round Lightweight Bout
Luis Santana (8-0, 2 KOs) vs Francisco Arturo Ramirez (11-4, 6 KOs)

6 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Leila Beaudoin (8-0-1, 1 KO) vs Laura Avendano Mondragon (6-0, 2 KOs)

4 Round Super Middleweight Bout
Wilkens Mathieu (1-0, 1 KO) vs Jose Gonzalez (1-2-1, 0 KOs)

4 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Jhon Orobio (debut) vs Alejandro Medina (2-1, 2 KOs)

4 Round Heavyweight Bout
Vanessa Lepage Joanisse (3-1, 1 KO) vs Princess Hairston (2-1, 2 KOs)

Thursday Night Boxing!!

Anyone gonna watch later?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 17:32 Thursday Night Boxing!!

Anyone gonna watch later?

No, not quite interested enough to stay awake long into the early hours just to see Molina take a dive before the main , but Mbilli-Gongora is quite intriguing. Is it some sort of eliminator?

I reckon Gongora might get it done, if it's close I'm sure Mbilli will get the nod though.

So they did Gongora once again

Main event was terrific. Kean is awful.

JackSprocket wrote: ↑24 Mar 2023, 17:03 So they did Gongora once again

nope, gongora was well beaten, won the 2nd and the 8th and that was about it

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑24 Mar 2023, 21:18

JackSprocket wrote: ↑24 Mar 2023, 17:03 So they did Gongora once again

nope, gongora was well beaten, won the 2nd and the 8th and that was about it

2-3 rounds at most.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑24 Mar 2023, 21:18

JackSprocket wrote: ↑24 Mar 2023, 17:03 So they did Gongora once again

nope, gongora was well beaten, won the 2nd and the 8th and that was about it

Dang. I just watched the 8th round, good stuff. Full fight not on youtube yet. I did have Gongora winning Lerrone Richards...