I was at the gym when we got the call — the official confirmation of Christian’s next fight.
I turned my head to look at him for a moment. He was sweating, focused, pounding the heavy bag like it had stolen his lunch back in elementary school. For a second, I even wondered if the bag would survive.
There was one minute left in the round. Christian didn’t stop for a single second. It’s in moments like that I’m reminded why he’s different. Yes, he loves championship belts. Yes, he wants big fights and purses worthy of his talent. But what drives him is much bigger than that: he wants to leave his mark.
He wants his name to one day echo among the all-time greats. And on September 13th, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a new chapter awaits him.
Photo: ESPN – Lester Martinez
On the undercard of the highly anticipated clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, Christian Mbilli will face Lester Martinez. A fight that might very well steal the spotlight, given the explosive styles of both fighters. Two undefeated warriors, two offensive-minded boxers, two temperaments built for war.
I know Christian well — I’ve had the chance to be by his side for several years now. He sets a relentless pace, applies constant pressure, and hits with a punishing intensity that wears opponents down. But on the other side, Lester Martinez is not to be underestimated. Far from it. I’ve followed this Guatemalan fighter since his amateur days. In fact, I wish he had been signed here in Quebec. I saw enormous potential in him. And he quickly proved me right.
From his professional debut, Martinez made a bold statement: he faced Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga in his very first fight — a ring legend who had shared the ring with Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest, Cory Spinks, and Félix Trinidad, to name a few. Who does that for their debut? Almost no one, I promise you. But Martinez did.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Christian Mbilli
Since then, he’s remained undefeated, racking up impressive performances. His style is aggressive, calculated, and dangerous. He’s a fighter who, like Christian, comes forward with bad intentions. That’s what makes this fight so exciting: there won’t be any feeling-out rounds. No time to play it safe. Just two men determined to come out on top, no matter what.
And more than that, the stakes go far beyond this fight.
Everything seems to be lining up for the winner of Mbilli vs. Martinez to earn a shot at the victor of Canelo vs. Crawford. In other words, this fight is a wide-open gateway to the global summit.
In such a prestigious stadium, on such a highly publicized card, this co-main event is more than a test — it’s an audition for the throne.
On September 13th, don’t blink.
Christian Mbilli vs. Lester Martinez might just be the fight of the year — and the springboard to super middleweight royalty.
Photo: DAZN – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
