MONTREAL, April 23, 2025 — Christian Mbilli has been patient, has defeated everyone placed in front of him, and on June 27, will finally have the chance to get his hands on a world title. In the ring at Videotron Centre, “Solide” will fight for the WBC Interim Super Middleweight World Championship against Silver titleholder Maciej Sulecki, in a scheduled 12-round bout.
In recent years, Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) has taken down no fewer than three top-10 world contenders: Venezuelan puncher Carlos Góngora, Australian brawler Rohan Murdock, and Ukrainian technician Sergiy Derevyanchenko. With all these wins earned decisively, the Montreal-based fighter has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the WBC, WBA, and even the prestigious Ring Magazine rankings.
“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. 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 before him,” said world No. 1 contender Christian Mbilli.
“A world title is on the line, but in Christian Mbilli’s case, it’s also the culmination of a lifetime of work. 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 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,” said Eye of the Tiger President, Camille Estephan.
This past February, Warsaw’s pride, Maciej Sulecki (33-3, 13 KOs), went into hostile territory in Kazakhstan and shocked the boxing world by stopping Ali Akhmedov in the 10th round, claiming the WBC Silver 168 lb. title. Previously, he also handed Hugo Centeno his first loss in 25 fights, defeated former world champion Jack Culcay, and dominated American brawler “King” Gabriel Rosado. Sulecki’s only three losses came against elite fighters: Americans Diego Pacheco, Demetrius Andrade, and Daniel Jacobs. The Polish veteran sees his bout with Christian Mbilli as a springboard toward Canelo Alvarez and a shot at the undisputed crown.
“This is the fight that is between me and Canelo, so we can square away our beef from sparring. Of course, Christian Mbilli will not be an easy fight but I have never felt better since my return with my trainer. I am in a great place with my team and everyone is doing their part. June 27th I will make sure I do mine, with a statement in his home town, Quebec City. This is currently one of the top and most exciting weight divisions and I am proud to be the WBC Silver Champion. I am sure the Polish fans in Canada and those in Chicago, NY and the tri state area will come out and support so I will not be alone. We are coming as champions and leaving as champions with the mandatory spot for Canelo.,” said WBC No. 7 contender Maciej Sulecki.
While a world title bout headlines the card, a stacked undercard with local flavor and international stakes is shaping up at Videotron Centre. In the co-main event, Laval’s world top-15 contender Erik Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KOs) takes on Montreal power-puncher Steven Butler (35-5-1, 29 KOs) in a much-anticipated showdown.
As a special attraction, a clash of heavyweight giants will add a new chapter to the Quebec- Ontario rivalry. In a scheduled 10-round bout between two fighters with KO ratios above 90%, Quebec-based Arslanbek “The Lion” Makhmudov (19-2, 18 KOs) will face Ontario-based Ricardo “Big 12” Brown (12-0, 11 KOs).
“On June 27, I’m coming to Quebec undefeated, and I’ll leave undefeated. Go ahead and write it down: the Russian giant will fall before the Jamaican assassin,” predicted the 6’7”, 250 lb. powerhouse Ricardo Brown.
“I needed to come back at 100%. But now I’m ready to return to the hunt, and my opponent can expect a war—and in the end, a victory for the Lion,” said the 6’5”, 260 lb. Montreal- based Arslanbek Makhmudov.
In another scheduled 10-rounder, Témiscouata native and Lévis resident Leïla Beaudoin (12-1, 1 KO), a top-5 world super featherweight contender, will face the toughest challenge of her career. In her first defense of the WBO International title, the Quebec fighter will take on former world champion and dangerous top-5 super lightweight contender Elhem Mekhaled (17-3, 3 KOs).
Also featured on the card are Colombian phenom Jhon Orobio (13-0, 11 KOs) and Montreal’s Luis Santana (13-0, 6 KOs), all in scheduled 10-round fights. Quebec City’s own Wilkens Mathieu (13-0, 9 KOs) will return home for an 8-round bout.
Tickets for the #MbilliSulecki event, taking place June 27 at Videotron Centre, go on sale this Friday, April 25 at 10:00 AM / ET via the Ticketmaster network.
