Manouk Akopyan
Feb 23, 2025
1 min read
Christian Mbilli and Diego Pacheco continue to circle around each other.
The Ring has learned the WBC has proposed to Mbilli promoter Camille Estephan and Pacheco promoter Eddie Hearn the opportunity to fight for the WBC interim super middleweight ti...
Christian Mbilli and Diego Pacheco continue to circle around each other.
The Ring has learned the WBC has proposed to Mbilli promoter Camille Estephan and Pacheco promoter Eddie Hearn the opportunity to fight for the WBC interim super middleweight title.
If both sides agree to a fight, the winner of the interim belt could position themselves for a potential shot at the crown currently held by super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez.
Mbilli, ranked No. 1 by The Ring, and Pacheco, ranked No. 2, are idle without plans. Mbilli is the No. 1 contender with the WBC, Pacheco is No. 2.
Earlier this week, Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) opted not to pursue an IBF-ordered title eliminator against Kevin Lele Sadjo on May 8 in Paris. Eye of the Tiger Management passed on the fight after feeling they were “duped” and "outbid unfairly.”
Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) last fought on January 25 and scored a unanimous decision win against Steven Nelson. Hearn indicated this week that Pacheco is slated to headline a show in May, and Mbilli is one of four options under consideration for potential opponents.
In November, the IBF ordered a title eliminator between Mbilli and Pacheco but Pacheco pursued the fight against Nelson instead.
Alvarez is currently The Ring, WBA, WBC, and WBO champion at 168 pounds. William Scull holds the IBF belt that Alvarez vacated last year as the Mexican star opted to face Edgar Berlanga. Scull picked up the vacant belt by beating Vladimir Shishkin.
Alvarez and Scull will fight on May 3 to headline a Riyadh Season show in Saudi Arabia.
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. He can be reached on X and Instagram @ManoukAkopyan.
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