Undefeated super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli 26-0 (22) made his intentions clear following his sixth-round stoppage victory over Rohan Murdock 27-3 (19) at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, Canada on Saturday night.
The 28-year-old Cameroon-born Frenchman wants his shot at undisputed 168-pund champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 60-2-2 (39).
Mbilli is ranked in the top five of all four major sanctioning bodies, including number one by both the WBC and WBA. He believes he has earned his shot at the 33-year-old Mexican superstar.
“Tonight, I sent a message. I am the future of the division. That’s what the message was today,” Mbilli said after his victory over Australia’s Murdock, 31.
“I know Canelo is the best. Everyone knows that. I want to show I am the best of the division. My goal is to fight Canelo. I will do everything I can do to fight Canelo.”
The Murdock fight heated up almost immediately after the first bell and never showed signs of slowing down. The bout was a war of attrition that would be decided by who had the bigger punch and the better chin.
That proved to be Mbilli, who systematically sapped the will from Murdock until he retired on his stool at the end of the sixth round. It was a prudent move by his corner.
“Murdock is strong,” Mbilli said. “He took all of my good punches. But for me, I thought I would finish him in one more round. But his team ended the fight. He’s a good fighter, but I’m the best today.”
Mbilli didn’t come out to trick anybody, he was all power all the time, landing 190 of 366 power shots for 52% with 66 blows landed to the body. He isn’t a defensive wizard though and Murdock, although under fire, was able to land 71 of 277 of his power punches for 26%.
When the fight was announced Mbilli said he was expecting a tough challenge from Murdock, who was coming off a 10-round split decision over Issac ‘The Headsplitter’ Hardman 15-2 (13) in Sydney, Australia in March last year.
“Rohan Murdock is a quality opponent with a completely different style from my recent opponents,” Mbilli said in a press release at the time. “It will also be an opportunity to gain new fans before my crowning as a world champion. I look forward to starting training camp and can’t wait to be in Quebec on January 13 to wow the crowd!”
Murdock’s last loss was to Zach Parker 23-1 (17) four years ago. The Brit stopped him in the 11th round of their contest in Manchester, England in March 2020. He entered the Mbilli fight riding a three-fight win streak.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to the challenge,” said Murdock. “I have been in enemy territory before and learned my lessons. I know what it takes to win at this level and on January 13, I will emerge victorious.”