Christian Mbilli (27 years, 1.74 m, 24 wins, 20 of them before the limit, 0 defeats) beat the Ecuadorian left-hander Carlos Gongora (33 years, 1.85 m , 21 v., 2 d.) by points (97-93, 98-92, 99-91). With this victory, the Frenchman retains his two belts (WBC Continental Americas, WBA International) in the super middleweight division (-76.203 kg). “We had a five star fight and threw Mbilli in the ring at the end of the fight. I have proven that I can become world champion. I have proven that my dreams are achievable. Very quickly, Christian Mbilli would become the #1 WBC super middleweight champion. The WBC (World Boxing Council) is one of the four international boxing federations. A sport where in the rankings it is always very complicated to find yourself.

If we want to summarize, we have to refer on the BoxRec website who went through all the federations to find out that Christian Mbilli is now number 5 in the world in his category. He is the Frenchman who currently comes closest to a world belt. He could join Arsen Goulamirian, who has held the WBA light heavyweight title since 2019: “I don’t like left-handers and Gongora hurt me, that’s true,” Mbilli admitted of still being in the ring. But I was reviewing my work, my ailments in training, my career aspirations, so I said to myself I need to show my C…. I searched deep inside for energy. »

At home in France, Christian Mbilli is not well known. He has lived in Canada for 6 years and rarely comes to France to fight. He did it last December in Nantes, not far from his homeland, but it remains an exception. Christian Mbili was part of the impressive French team at the 2016 Rio Games, which put boxing back in the limelight a little too temporarily. Only he didn’t return a medalist. He had failed in the quarterfinals on the eventual gold medalist. To digest the disappointment, he sailed to a new life and to Canada. Out of sight and a bit out of mind: “Of course I regret that I’m not better known in France,” says the boxer from Montargis. But it’s a career choice I embrace. I had my first opportunities in Canada in 2016 and now it’s much more difficult to go back to France to fight because of the contracts. »

Across the Atlantic, without the support of his country’s public, the still undefeated boxer multiplies the fights. Of Team Solide in Rio he was 7 years old, he is the one who boxed the most: 24 fights when Souleymane Cissokho (16), Tony Yoka and Mathieu Bauderlique (13) the other medalists from Rio turned pro at the same time when he himself settle for less. “In the media, my path was more complicated than for others,” continues the Canadian by adoption. But if we only look at the sporting point, I have no regrets. Going to Canada allowed me to erase the disappointment of the games to go back into battle. »

“Boxing is a complicated sport”

He rarely fought in the “main event” in his evening’s main event, more often in the “undercard” in a trainer match, but never suffered from it. Above all, he reaps the rewards. Here he is very close to being consecrated today: “I don’t know how many fights I’ll miss before I have my chance to fight for a world belt,” the boxer told us a few weeks ago. One, two, three or five? I don’t know. Boxing is a complicated sport. Of course, my contribution and my results count, but they are not enough. There are corporations, TV stations and a political side that also come into play. In order to have a global opportunity, all of these planets must align at the same time. It’s a matter of timing. All I know is that I’m on the right track to make it happen. Because I’m very well placed in all rankings and if we just stick to my boxing, I can have my world chance tomorrow. »

In his category, the undisputed number (for now), all federations combined, is Saul Alvarez of Mexico, who holds all the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts, the aim is to challenge him someday in 2024 or 2024 : “I dedicate myself 100% to my sport and tell myself that I will have this world chance very soon, I hope that gives me butterflies in my stomach,” the Frenchman continued. There’s also a little pressure, but I don’t think about it. I’m taking it step by step and I hope it takes me to the top. »