Christian Mbilli took another step on his way to a world title on Saturday afternoon at the Casino de Montreal.
The adopted Montrealer made one of the knockouts. the most exceptional of recent years on Quebec soil against his French compatriot Nadjib Mohammedi. Mbilli retains his WBC Americas continental title at super welterweight (168 pounds).
The fight was intense from the first round, with a high volume of blows exchanged between the two boxers. Marc Ramsay’s protege opted for body shots. Mohammedi had started the 2nd round well, before Mbilli finished it in power, first with right hooks to the body, but especially with a left to the face in the last moments of the 6th minute.
Mohammedi stood out in the 3rd round with his hard and precise work with both hands. But in the 4th, the former world contender was badly shaken with heavy shots, especially at the very end of the round.
Mbilli continued his attacks in the same way at the start of the 5th round, still devastating with the left hook. Towards the end of the 5th round, Mbilli found the perfect opening to land a powerful left bomb in the face of Mohammedi who then fell like a tree. Referee Steve St-Germain had no choice but to stop the fight immediately.
Mbilli records a 19th victory by K.-O. and a 21st victory in as many fights.
In undercard
In the first female fight of the evening, Mary Spencer won the first duel she was playing for her new promoter. And let’s say that it was a really spectacular introduction, as much if not more than that of Christian Mbilli!
Spencer, who is the first-ever athlete to represent Canada in women’s boxing at the 2012 Olympics, outplayed Mexican rival Beatriz Aguilera (7-7-1) with a bevy of left hooks at the body of her rival. Just twenty-three seconds into the fight, and after another left, this time to the face, Aguilera found herself on the mat. Three of Spencer’s four victories come by knockout.
Montrealer Christopher Guerrero had the honor of playing the first fight on the card in front of a packed house at the Casino.
Guerrero had his hands full against Marco Chino Villa in the first 2 rounds, but managed to adjust to the 3rd assault, which he dominated. Villa had not said its last word and, twice, hit the Quebecer with a powerful right in the 4th round. In the end, the judges awarded Guerrero the victory with identical scores of 39-37.