“From Underdog to World Champion: The Jaw-Dropping Rise After Crawford’s Retirement!”
Terence Crawford : This week, during a ceremony in Mexico City, the World Boxing Council elevated Mbilli from interim titleholder to World Champion at 168 pounds following the retirement of Terence Crawford.
Reflecting on Mbilli’s longstanding journey with the organization, Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, commented, “You are a champion we are incredibly proud of. Christian has been part of our organization for a long time; he was the WBC Continental Americas champion, making 9 successful defenses before becoming the interim champion.”
On the 13th of September, Mbilli fought Guatemala’s Lester Martínez to a split draw in a show-stealing fight that made many lists as a 2025 “Fight of the Year.” It was a fight that Mauricio Sulaiman noted when presenting the famed Green and Gold belt to Mbilli (29-0-1 with 24 KOs).
“You and Lester Martinez put on a spectacular fight—the best of 2025. On this occasion, we are honored to present you with the Fight of the Year trophy and your belt as the undisputed World Champion at 168 pounds,” stated Sulaimán.
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Mbilli, who showed up to the event in a double-breasted suit, quickly called his mother to share the news of his new championship status, according to the WBC. He previously held a junior version of the title belt, but there is increased pressure across boxing to ensure only one champion remains in each division.
“No mother likes to see their child taking punches. Although she is proud of me, it is very difficult for her to see me in the ring,” he said in the media statement.
Further cementing his reputation, Mbilli raised eyebrows last year when he blasted the normally durable Maciej Sulecki with a powerful TKO victory in Quebec City, the Canadian city the Cameroonian fighter calls home.
