Christian Mbilli vs. Lester Martinez: Who Wins?

Fellow unbeaten super middleweight contenders Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez will square off in a high-stakes showdown on the Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford undercard at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Let’s break it down.

The winner of this bout could ultimately find himself across the ring from Alvarez. As for Crawford, whether he wins or loses, his future at this weight—or even in the sport itself—appears limited. A four-division world champion and certain first-ballot Hall of Famer, Crawford has little left to prove in boxing.

With so much at stake, this matchup offers far more than another bout on a stacked undercard. Both fighters enter with unblemished records, the promise of future title contention, and the financial rewards that accompany victory. Pride and positioning are on the line, but so too is the aura of invincibility. Given the power and aggression each man brings, it is difficult to imagine this contest reaching the final bell. More likely, one fighter’s perfect record will be erased in emphatic, knockout fashion.

At 30 years old, Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) enters as the unquestioned centerpiece of this matchup. Born in Cameroon and now fighting out of Montreal, Mbilli has been co-promoted by Top Rank for over a year and already carries the résumé of a headliner. From a business standpoint, he is clearly the favored commodity: charismatic, aggressive, and relentlessly entertaining. His high-volume attack has made him a fan favorite, though it often comes at the expense of defensive discipline. To date, however, no opponent has possessed the blend of skill and resilience required to exploit that vulnerability.