Christian Mbilli Beats A Resolute Sergiy Derevyanchenko

Christian Mbilli defeated a determined Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who fought with an injured bicep, in their ten-round super middleweight clash via a unanimous decision.

The win extended Mbilli’s undefeated record to 28-0, but Derevyanchenko showed a lot of heart. Mbilli began the opener on the front foot, with his jabs to the body to close the distance. Mbilli had Derevyanchenko backed up on the ropes, landing numerous right hands flush. However, Derevyanchenko landed a nice counter in a fast-paced start as the Ukrainian gasped at the end of the bell.

Christian Mbilli landed a huge shot! pic.twitter.com/bbxEW3sjsw

— FIGHT SPORTS (@FIGHTSPORTS) August 18, 2024

Derevyanchenko’s corner wanted him off the ropes. The Ukrainian connected with a right uppercut before Mbilli responded with a massive right hand. Mbilli had the greater power, beating his man in the exchanges. As Derevyanchenko remained on the ropes, Mbilli landed another big right hand, which buckled the Ukrainian in a dominant second for the Frenchman.

Derevyanchenko had his best round in the fourth, landing numerous combinations as he boxed his opponent. However, Derevyanchenko hurt his left bicep, telling his corner he could not throw the hook. Derevyanchenko was now fighting with a single hand. Mbilli responded with another right hand before Derevyanchenko responded with an uppercut and a shot to the body in the fifth.

Derevyanchenko was warned for low blows in the sixth. Derevyanchenko was in the fight but had swelling over his eye after taking numerous right hands, heading into the second half of the bout. Derevyanchenko had Mbilli hurt in the seventh, landing numerous hooks as the Frenchman leg’s buckled a little.

At the end of the eighth, Derevyanchenko’s corner told him they would stop the fight if he could not continue with one arm. Derevyanchenko continued, making it to the final round. Mbilli went for the finish, but Derevyanchenko held on, as it went to the scorecards: 100-90, 99-91, 98-92.

After the fight, Mbilli confirmed he had injured his left hand. Meanwhile, Derevyanchenko felt the outcome could have been different had it not been for his injury. Mbill said his focus was now on getting the biggest fights and becoming a world champion. 

Comments

“My opponent has the injury, but he’s a very good boxer. I had not seen this injury. How he was moving around…was very good. I have learned a lot, you know. This man is a gladiator. He’s a warrior. He was in a difficult position, he come back. He was fighting, fighting. He was a very good boxer. I have learned a lot. I’m going to go back at home and look at fight again and have some lessons from this,” Mbilli  

“I [didn’t] want to lose. I didn’t want to lose and still [wanted to continue] fighting. My legs [were] good. I have only one arm and I needed to move because when I stay he punch [in] combinations. Next round [after I injured my arm] I want to punch through the shot but I can’t. I feel and understand I can’t punch with left,” Derevyanchenko