Boxing

Mbilli vs. Martinez Revatch: Focusing on office

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2025

Image: Will Officiating Be a Factor? Christian Mbilli Seeks to Overcome Lester Martinez's Tactics in Mandated Second Fight

The location of the rematch ordered by WBC between these transient medium scale champion Christian Mbilla and Lester Martinez has not yet been established.

A powerful case of Montreal

From a business point of view, it would make sense to put up an event in Montreal, a adopted Mbilla house, not in Las Vegas, where they fought with the 12-round draw on September 13 at the Allegian stadium.

Mbilli is a popular warrior in Montreal, attracting immense crowds to his events. They could not organize a fight in Martinez’s hometown in Guatemala, because it did not work. The journey, bringing broadcasters from Dazno and selling tickets would not be the same as if the fight was staged in Montreal.

Without a immense star for ticket sale, Mbilli’s rematch vs. Martinez 2 does not sell in Las Vegas. They both fought at the Canelo Alvarez vs. party Terenca Crawford, so they didn’t have to worry about bringing fans to sell the stadium.

A great break for Crawford

WBC ordered the rematch of Mbilli-Martinez II four days after their fight on September 17. It works in favor of Crawford, because if he had to defend himself against the transient champion of WBC Mbilli, he would probably leave the title and would not take a risky fight that he could lose. Mbilli would not let him treat the fight as a sparring session such as Canelo.

Controversy regarding support tactics

In the case of a rematch in Montreal, Mbilla can utilize a judge controlling the illegal pushing that Martinez does. It was a immense part of Lester’s game in the fight on September 13. He pushed Mbilli, and then immediately abandoned him with a shot.

Fighters should fight the situation or leave. What Martinez did was a pushing of Mbilla, two to three feet, and then hitting him. This is illegal, and the judge did not do his work. Without this tactic, there is a great chance that Mbilli would win the fight because Martinez was not as effective inside as outside or medium range.

Tale about results cards

95-95
97-93: Martinez
96-94: Milli

Bob Smith wrote Boxing News 24 Since 2008, making him one of the longest -working colleagues. With over a decade of experience, he became a senior boxing writer who provides credible relations with the global fight scene.

Bob’s work includes martial reports, news and functions that emphasize both world champions and emerging contenders, giving fans a clear view of the past and the present of sport. Known for its consequence, accuracy and deep understanding of boxing, Bob remains a trusted voice for readers who want to be informed about the world fighting game.

Last updated 21.09.2025

Boxing

Robert Garcia Analyzes Tim Tszyus Odds Against Erislandy Lara | Boxing News

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Robert Garcia Analyzes Tim Tszyu's Odds Against Erislandy Lara | Boxing News"

Tim Tszyu seeks to become Australia’s third multi-divisional boxing world champion when he competes for Erislandy Lara’s WBA middleweight title next month, and ahead of the action, trainer Robert Garcia has offered his thoughts on the fight.

Tszyu lost his WBO super-welterweight title in a defeat to Sebastian Fundora back in 2024 and twice failed to reclaim 154lb honours, both against Bakhram Murtazaliev and in a rematch with Fundora.

Since then, the Aussie has stepped up to middleweight and scored a career-best win over Errol Spence Jr earlier this yearand now, the 32-year-old could join lead trainer Jeff Fenech and Liam Paro as his nation’s third two-weight world champion, if he can trump 43-year-old.

Speaking with ProBox TVRobert Garcia, who trains a potential future Tszyu opponent in Vergil Ortiz, admitted that he is leaning towards the home fighter, but noted that Lara will not be phased by competing in the challenger’s backyard.

“We can probably lean towards Tim Tsyzu because he is fighting at home, in front of his hometown, but Lara is not the fighter that brings in a lot of fans following him.

“He doesn’t have a following, he is not one that is going to sell out arenas, so even if it is in the United States, it is likely that most of the people are going to be [there] for Tim Tszyu because Australians do travel and Tim Tszyu has a lot of fans.

“For Lara, going to Australia is like going to Las Vegas or going to New York because he never has that following anyways. Anywhere he goes, he is going to be against the crowd. So, I think for him it is going to be one of those performances where it doesn’t make a difference if he is going to Tim Tsyzu’s hometown.”

Tszyu-Lara takes place at the Cbus Super Stadium in Queensland, Australia on Sunday 13 December.

Boxing

Malik Scott Predicts Knockout Victory for Jai Opetaia in Upcoming Fight

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Malik Scott Predicts Knockout Victory for Jai Opetaia in Upcoming Fight"

Deontay Wilder’s former head coach Malik Scott has delivered a knockout prediction for the American’s upcoming showdown with Jai Opetaia.

The pair will square off at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11, with Opetaia making his heavyweight debut on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.

Despite him being the naturally smaller man, many are favouring the Australian – a former two-time world cruiserweight champion – to defeat his 10-years-older opponent.

It is, after all, generally accepted that Wilder has declined significantly since his trilogy bout with Furywho survived two knockdowns and scored an 11th-round knockout in their 2021 encounter.

Back then, Wilder had just joined forces with Scott, his former opponent, and the pair maintained their fighter-trainer relationship through subsequent defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

With Wilder now operating under different coaches, though, Scott has shared a balanced view of the Opetaia fight with Seconds Out.

“The fight’s got dynamite written all over it. Jai Opetaia is very dangerous, but he’s a smaller man that’s been hurt by smaller men than Deontay, slower men than Deontay.

“I’ve never seen Opetaia get hit by nobody like Deontay; I’ve seen Deontay get hit by bigger punchers than Opetaia. [But] one thing we can expect in this fight is a knockout.

“The name of the fight is ‘bad intentions’ – at least that’s what I’m calling it, because that’s what they share in common. What they share in common is mentality – they both are trying to hurt you.”

While he stopped short of predicting a winner, it is perhaps telling that Scott, despite his relationship with Wilder, has not explicitly favoured him to win by knockout.