To contact me: Laurentsecouteparler@gmail.com
“Hi Laurent, you are awesome and it’s a joy to read you every week. Do you think the good relationship between Eddie Hearn and Camille Estephan since their co-promotion last January could lead to duels between the boxers of both camps?” – Martine V-B, a fan.
I probably inspired Ring Magazine when writing my editorial “168 Reasons to Smile” published last February 13th. Not one, not two, but three EOTTM boxers are in the top 10 of the famous magazine. This text is meant to be a continuation, or even the conclusion, of my dossier on my favorite division.
#2 – Christian M’Billi (EOTTM)
#6 – Erik Bazynian (EOTTM)
#10 – Osleys Iglesias (EOTTM)
That’s all well and good, but the famous Canelo is blocking the entire 168-pound division by holding the four belts hostage with the help of Sulaiman, Valcarcel, J. Peoples, and Mendoza. Camille Estephan probably hinted at what’s next this week at a press conference: “We’re going to force things.”
I publicly stated that Camille Estephan was the most powerful promoter in the 168-pound division, but I hesitate now that I have consulted my friend Eddie Hearn’s stable.
#5 – Jaime Munguia (Golden Boy/But with DAZN)
#8 – Diego Pacheco (Matchroom)
#9 – Edgar Berlanga (Matchroom)
Eddie Hearn has not hidden his intentions: if Diego Pacheco manages to defeat Shawn McCalman (15-0, 7 KOs), he would like to organize a fight between his prodigy and Christian M’Billi for a mandatory challenger position or a vacant belt.
“We are all angry, waiting for the unified champion to face David Benavidez who deserves his chance. Instead, Canelo fights guys from 160-154-147 pounds and refuses to fulfill his obligations. It’s a good thing the Charlos aren’t triplets,” Mauro Bustamante told us on X.
It’s Moving
While I was writing these lines, I just learned that Jaime Munguia, who recently retired John Ryder, has now surpassed Christian M’Billi to the number one spot in the WBC. When I wanted to start writing again, we learned that Edgar Berlanga overtook M’Billi, as well as Morrell, as the WBA mandatory challenger. These could be Canelo’s next two targets…
We will need to be inventive and especially bring out the big dollars with all this traffic in the 168-pound division.
My Targets
The Cuban William Scull (21-0, 9 KOs) is ranked first in the IBF and has only fought once in 2023. Making him a ridiculous offer to snatch his mandatory challenger role could be a good idea.
The Frenchman Kevin Lele Sadjo (21-0, 19 KOs) is more muscular than Christian M’Billi, he hits hard and is great with a microphone. Not to be overlooked to boost ticket sales. While waiting for Canelo, M’Billi/Sadjo would fill a small soccer stadium in France.
Rohan Murdock (27-3, 19 KOs) gave us a thunderous fight against Christian M’Billi and is still ranked 16th on Boxrec. I presume he will return to Quebec to face Iglesias or Bazynian… we’ll create comparisons among ourselves.
Sergey Derevyanchenko (14-5, 10 KOs) would want 1 million per fight and Bektemir Melikuziev (13-1, 10 KOs) gives me nightmares… so I ignore them for a potential fight in Quebec.
David Morrell (WBA) and David Benavidez (WBC) are dangerous and risky for everyone. If the offer doesn’t contain 7 or even 8 figures, I let them wait for Saul Alvarez too. At the same time, Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose Senior, just mentioned having interest in a fight between his son and M’Billi later this year. Who knows?
It’s still magical or ironic depending on your mood. The division that excites me the most in boxing right now is the same one that makes me sweat the most because of Canelo Alvarez…
