Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
QUEBEC CITY, Canada — Two super middleweight punchers are poised for a high-octane showdown with world title implications.
Unbeaten, Montreal-based contender Christian Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs) will take on three-time world title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event this Saturday, Aug. 17, at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
In the 10-round heavyweight co-feature, Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-1, 18 KOs) and Guido Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs) will lock horns in a battle of heavy-hitting contenders.
Mbilli-Derevyanchenko and Makhmudov-Vianello will be broadcast live in the U.S. on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Undercard action, streaming exclusively on ESPN+, begins at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT and features the return of undefeated southpaw phenom Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs). The Cleveland native will take on Mike Ohan Jr. (19-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight tilt.
Also making his Canadian debut is New York-based middleweight Jahi Tucker (11-1-1, 5 KOs), who will face Santiago Fernandez (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
Promoted by Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.
This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference.
Christian Mbilli
“I hope this opportunity is the final step towards a world title. I think we will have a great fight, maybe the Fight of the Year. I’m very happy to be here in Quebec City. We have a lot of boxing fans here. And it’s going to be a great fight.”
“I want to show that I’m the best. I want to show that I’m the real monster. We’re going to see who has the best conditioning. We’re going to see who has the best boxing. For me, it will be no surprise because I’m the best.”
“I don’t know {if this fight goes 10 rounds}. But I know that if he gives me any opportunity to knock him out, I will knock him out.”
Sergiy Derevyanchenko
“Every fight that I’ve had has helped me get this opportunity. I’m ready for an aggressive fight. I’ve seen him fight. He is strong. He is aggressive. But I’m ready.”
“As soon as I heard about this fight, I decided I was going to sign to fight him because this is the number one guy.”
“My experience is an advantage. It has helped me. And we will see what happens.”
Arslanbek Makhmudov
“I love this city. This will be the {fourth} time I have fought in Quebec City. I’m excited to fight on Saturday night. I can’t wait.”
“I respect my opponents. But I go in there to hunt. It’s nothing personal, but I will make this the baddest night of his life. This is my goal. I’m sorry, but the sport is like that.”
“Ever since I started my career, my goal has been to become a champion, and I have to destroy anyone who is against me.”
Guido Vianello
“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve trained a lot. This is my sixth year as a professional. I’m ready. I respect my opponent a lot. My last fight was very close. I thought I won that fight. But that’s in the past. We can’t change the past. So, we are here to change the future.”
“My opponent is the perfect guy to make a big step in the heavyweight division. I want to be among the top heavyweights in one year from now. So it’s the perfect time for me.”
Abdullah Mason
“It’s really important for me to stay active. I had five fights last year, and I’ll probably have the same this year. So we’re staying active and utilizing our youth while we still have it. There’s no better time to stay active than now.”
Jahi Tucker
“Growing and learning is the most important thing. I feel like this is going to be another win for the year. I’m ready.”
“I saw his last fight. He has nothing. This is going to be domination. 100 percent.”
Saturday, Aug. 17
ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Christian Mbilli vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko, 10 rounds, Mbill’s WBC Continental Americas & WBA International Super Middleweight Titles
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Guido Vianello, 10 rounds, heavyweight
ESPN+ (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT)
Osleys Iglesias vs. Sena Agbeko, 10 rounds, super middleweight
Abdullah Mason vs. Mike Ohan Jr., 8 rounds, lightweight
Leila Beaudoin vs. Lizbeth Crespo, 10 rounds, junior lightweight
Wilkens Mathieu vs. Facundo Nicolas Galovar, 6 rounds, super middleweight
Jahi Tucker vs. Santiago Fernandez, 8 rounds, middleweight
Thomas Chabot vs. Matias Ezequiel Guenemil, 8 rounds, junior lightweight
Dzmitry Asanau vs. Alexis Camejo, 8 rounds, lightweight
