MONTREAL, February 18, 2025 — Y12 Boxing recently won a purse bid to organize the IBF eliminator fight between the world’s No. 3 and No. 4 contenders, Christian Mbilli and Kevin Sadjo. Of the winning bid amount of $878,000 USD, 60% would have gone to the EOTTM fighter as the higher-ranked contender. Nicknamed “Solide,” Mbilli was ready to travel to France for this fight, but he wanted assurance that he would indeed receive the purse he was promised. In the end, as the French promoter refused to negotiate anything beyond the IBF’s minimum requirements, Team Mbilli was forced to explore other options.
EOTTM is now revisiting its initial plan: an interim WBC world championship fight.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to pursue an avenue that better aligns with our short- and medium-term objectives,” said Christian Mbilli’s promoter and Eye of the Tiger president, Camille Estephan. “We are currently in discussions with the WBC for an interim world title bout in the super middleweight division against an opponent who will be announced shortly.”
“For such an important fight, it was just as important for my team and me to have certain financial guarantees. A lot has been said about the purse from the purse bid, but all we were asking for was confirmation that the money was actually there before the first bell,” said WBC and WBA No. 1 contender Christian Mbilli.
The main request was for his full purse to be deposited into an escrow account at least five days before the event. However, the French promoter—who was also attempting to schedule the event on May 8, beyond the initially agreed deadline of April 30—was unable to meet this requirement.
Further details will be announced soon. Photos from Christian Mbilli’s recent fights are also available (HERE).
