Sergiy Derevyanchenko might be trying to upset the favored rising star, Christian Mbilli, in the primary occasion of their ten-round contest this Saturday, August seventeenth. Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) has the prospect to place himself ready to get a large payday in opposition to WBA, WBC, and WBO 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez with a win over the unbeaten Mbilli (27-0, 23 KOs) on the Videotron Centre in Quebec Metropolis, Canada.
(Credit score: Mikey Williams/High Rank)
Saturday’s Mbilli vs. Derevyanchenko occasion might be proven stay on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 pm. ET/7 pm PT.
Mbilli’s Defensive Vulnerabilities
Mbili, 29, comes into the struggle with little expertise and lackluster showings in opposition to Carlos Gongora and Rohan Murdock. He’s obtained an thrilling type and enjoyable to observe. Protection will not be a part of the 2016 Olympian Mbilli’s type, and his fights are all the time drama-filled as a result of he will get damage often.
Though Derevyancheno has solely a slight benefit by way of skilled expertise over Mbilli, he’s fought significantly better opposition. Mbilli’s administration has protected him, and given how flawed he’s, it’s comprehensible why. He would have been overwhelmed already if he’d fought the identical killers as Derevyanchenko has.
“Mbilli may be very enjoyable to observe. He’s an motion fighter. He’s a man with a comparatively stable skillset, however he’s extra of a stress man, break you mentally, break you bodily form of fighter. He’s a bodily man, and people varieties of men are typically enjoyable to observe,” mentioned Paulie Malignaggi to the Probox TV YouTube channel, discussing Christian Mbilli vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko for his or her struggle this Saturday, August 17trh, on ESPN.
Mbilli is a traditional stress fighter who comes ahead with the Aaron Pryor type of preventing, throws quite a lot of punches, and appears to outgun his opponents. It’s a mode that may finally price Mbilli, nevertheless it stays to be seen if he can get away with it this Saturday night time in opposition to Derevyanchenko. If the Ukrainian has something left, he’ll doubtless knock out Mbilli.
Query Marks Encompass Mbilli’s True Potential
“So far as the [past] massive names are involved. The [Carlos] Gongora was a reasonably good win [for Mbilli in March 2023],” mentioned Malignaggi. “I’m undecided how decisive it actually was. I feel he was on the canvas for that one as nicely. Gongora is a reasonably artful man. The jury continues to be out on Mbilli.”
The jury isn’t out. It’s apparent what sort of fighter Mbilli is, and he’ll come undone both on Saturday night time or when he will get a title shot in opposition to Canelo if he will get one. With Canelo, you may’t predict whether or not he’ll defend in opposition to his #1 contenders. He won’t need to struggle Mbilli if he appears too good in opposition to Derevyanchenko.
“One factor the jury will not be out on is he’s a enjoyable fighter to observe,” mentioned Malignaggi. “I feel he’s going to maintain entertaining.
“Derevyanchenko, you’ve obtained to see how a lot is left in him. Up to now, he’s proven constantly that there’s a lot left in him, and he’s fought some ultra-competitive and ultra-tough fights. He’s given guys all they might deal with and all their cash’s value, even quite a lot of prime fighters.”
Derevyanchenko has been in some wars in opposition to Gennadiy Golovkin, Tureano Johnson, Jermall Charlo, Daniel Jacobs, Carlos Adames and Jaime Munguia. He deserved wins in opposition to Jacobs and Golovkin.
“One factor about Derevyanchenko. He’s not gotten the outcomes on the prime degree,” mentioned Malignaggi. “For me, that’s solely as a result of boxing is a little bit of a mafia in that method. Again within the day, you must be with [special people] to be given the shut selections.
“In any other case, you wouldn’t get them. Right this moment, simply since you don’t have the organized crime concerned doesn’t imply it doesn’t act the identical method. In the event you’re not with sure individuals, you’re not going to get the shut selections,” mentioned Malignaggi.
The fighters that are inclined to win shut selections in aggressive fights are the favored guys, and it’s like that. Until Derevyanchenko makes it one-sided or knocks Mbilli out, he may discover himself on the receiving finish of one other controversial determination on Saturday night time.
