Christian Mbilli has finally landed a dance partner.
Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) will face Maciej Sulecki (33-3, 13 KOs) for the WBC interim super middleweight title on June 27 at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada on ESPN+.
Mbilli is ranked No. 1 by the WBC, Sulecki is rated No. 7.
The winner will be in prime position to face current WBC 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez, who's preparing to face William Scull on May 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the undisputed super middleweight title.
"I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, I’ve worked so hard to get here, and there’s no way I’m leaving without the belt on June 27. I want to salute my opponent for having the courage to accept this challenge. But once we’re in the ring, he’ll have to face all the intensity and rage I’ve built up against those who refused to fight me before him," said Mbilli.
Mbilli, a 29-year-old Cameroonian-French power-punching contender based in Canada, last fought in August and scored a unanimous decision win against Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Sulecki, a 35-year-old from Poland, won the WBC silver title in February by stopping Ali Akhmedov in 10 rounds, his first fight since suffering a body shot knockout loss to Diego Pacheco in August.
“This is the fight that is between me and Canelo, so we can square away our beef from sparring. Of course, Christian Mbilli will not be an easy fight but I have never felt better since my return with my trainer. I am in a great place with my team and everyone is doing their part. June 27th I will make sure I do mine, with a statement in his home town, Quebec City.
This is currently one of the top and most exciting weight divisions and I am proud to be the WBC Silver Champion. I am sure the Polish fans in Canada, those in Chicago, NY and the tri state area will come out and support so I will not be alone. We are coming as champions and leaving as champions with the mandatory spot for Canelo,” said Sulecki.
The WBC ordered an interim title matchup
between Mbilli and Pacheco but Matchroom Boxing pulled out of the proceedings earlier this month one day before a scheduled purse bid.
In February, Mbilli declined to take part in an IBF-mandated title eliminator against Kevin Lele Sadjo, which was originally scheduled for May 8 in Paris. Mbilli promoter Camille Estephan decided to pass on the bout, stating they felt “duped” and “unfairly outbid” by Y12 Boxing, Sadjo’s promoter.
Mbilli is rated No. 1 by The Ring at 168 pounds.
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X/Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.