Christian Mbilli vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko final press conference quotes
On Saturday, August 17, WBC #1 super-middleweight Christian ‘Solide’ Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs), signed to Top Rank, will face three-time world title challenger Sergiy ‘The Technician’ Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs), live from 5pm on Saturday at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
Also in action, in the co-main event, Arslanbek ‘The Lion’ Makhmudov (19-1, 18 KOs) will go head-to-head with Guido ‘The Gladiator’ Vianello (12-2-1, 10 KOs) in a heavyweight showdown.
The dangerous puncher, IBO super middleweight champion, and Eye of the Tiger protege Osleys ‘El Tornado’ Iglesias (11-0, 10 KOs) will take on Ghanaian world title contender Sena ‘The African Assassin’ Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs).
Quebec’s Leïla Beaudoin (11-1, 1 KO) will aim for her first title, the WBO International belt, against two-time world title challenger Lizbeth Crespo (15-7, 4 KOs).
The event will also feature some of the province’s brightest prospects, including Wilkens Mathieu (9-0, 6 KOs) and Thomas ‘The Ghost’ Chabot (10-0, 8 KOs). Double Olympian and EOTTM rookie Dzmitry Asanau (7-0, 3 KOs) will make his Quebec debut, alongside Top Rank’s American prospects Abdullah Mason (14-0, 12 KOs) and Jahi Tucker (11-1-1, 5 KOs).
Here are the highlights from the event’s final press conference:
CHRISTIAN MBILLI, WBC Continental Americas and WBA International super middleweight champion:
“I hope this will be the last step before a world championship fight. In the meantime, we’re going to deliver a great fight, maybe even the fight of the year. I can’t guarantee a knockout, but I can guarantee that if he gives me an opening, I’ll take it.”
ANDRE ROZIER, trainer of Sergiy Derevyanchenko:
“Mbilli says he’s going to beat Sergiy [Derevyanchenko] like no one has before. I think he’s in for a rude awakening because Sergiy is superior on many levels and will show Mbilli what an elite boxer is.”
BOB ARUM, president of Top Rank:
“As with any of my fighters, my goal is to bring Christian Mbilli to the top. I believe a fight against Canelo would be excellent, and at this point, I even believe Mbilli would win. Of course, I can’t speak for Canelo, but I’m optimistic we could set up the fight in May.”
MARC RAMSAY, trainer of Christian Mbilli:
“We might be closer than we think to the big fight. When you look at it, Christian is starting to cover all the bases. That’s what makes the fight against Derevyanchenko so important; it’s the ultimate test.”
ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV, WBC #11 heavyweight contender:
“It’s nothing personal, but I want August 17th to be the worst night of his life. This time, I’m going back on the hunt. Guido Vianello said it would be an easy fight. I’m looking forward to Saturday night because he’s wrong, and he’s going to find out.”
GUIDO VIANELLO, WBC #35 heavyweight contender:
“I’m 30 years old, and I’ve worked my whole life for this. This is my time. You’ll see it on Saturday. I’ll be too fast and too good for him. I just need to be myself to win this fight.”
OSLEYS IGLESIAS, IBO super middleweight champion:
“I am disciplined. I am focused. Right now, I am ranked 3rd in the division, but I won’t stop until I’m at the top.”
LEÏLA BEAUDOIN, WBO International title challenger:
“When I turned professional, I didn’t even have a title in mind; I just wanted to box. But now, I see my progress with every fight. The further I go, the more convinced I am that I’ll be a world champion one day.”
The entire event will be broadcast live starting at 5 PM on Punching Grace and ESPN+, with TVA Sports also airing the undercard and ESPN showing the main card.