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sports17h ago
Boxer Elevated To World Champion Following Terence Crawford Retirement
- Mbilli has been elevated from interim champion to full WBC World Champion at 168 pounds, marking a new peak in his title trajectory amid Crawford's retirement.
- WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán highlighted Mbilli's long association with the organization and nine defenses as a continental Americas champion before becoming interim champion.
- Mbilli signaled openness to big-money bouts, mentioning potential clashes with Canelo Alvarez or Jaime Munguia as he eyes elite-level challenges.
- Mbilli's emotional moment after the title status news included calling his mother, underscoring the personal significance of his win.
- A high-profile potential rematch with Lester Martínez remains a defining talking point, given their split draw in September 2025 under Crawford's shadow.
- Mbilli acknowledged the emotional strain on his mother, aligning family support with his growing confidence as a world champion.
- Mbilli expressed a clear appetite for high-stakes showdowns, calling for opportunities to fight top-tier opponents on big stages.
- Crawford publicly urged his friend Lester Martínez to pursue another title shot against Mbilli, highlighting the ongoing super middleweight title picture after Crawford's retirement.
- The wider super middleweight landscape post-Crawford sees Mbilli as the reigning WBC champion, with multiple sanctioning bodies still determining future plans.
- Mbilli's post-promotion status places him as the WBC's second official super middleweight champion since Crawford's departure, shaping the 168-pound division's near-term future.
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