Adopted Montrealer Christian Mbilli will not fight a standard boxer on December 17 in Nantes. He’ll fill his toolbox by meeting up with American Vaughn Alexander, who resembles nothing of his previous opponents… and who has already spent 11 years behind bars.
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Once considered one of the top contenders in boxing in the United States, Alexander (17-6-1, 10 KOs) was kept out of the ring from 2004 to 2016 after committing an armed robbery.
The 36-year-old St. Louis native has since fought 19 times. Despite having retired six times, Alexander’s experience and aggressive style make him a boxer not to be overlooked.
“You really shouldn’t let your record fool you,” Eye of the Tiger Management general manager Antonin Descarie said at a virtual news conference on Friday.
“A guy with a 17-6-1 record might not look that impressive. It really shouldn’t be taken lightly. He’s the guy who makes you pay for every mistake. He’s a very talented guy who has it in his blood.”
At Neodif XL, Mbilli (22-0-0, 20 KOs) will not jeopardize his WBA International super middleweight belt or his WBC Continental Americas title. Rather, he will use his return to France to prepare for the WBC-ordered eliminator against Ali Akhmedov, set to take place in 2023.
However, it is not an option to project too much into the future. Mbilli has great respect for his closest rival, even if he intends to disfigure him.
“His work ethic is admirable, that’s for sure,” he confirmed. It doesn’t have to be easy to keep fit and keep the will to exercise [en prison]. He’s someone, excuse the expression, who doesn’t give a damn. He’ll want to come and fight to show he’s the strongest.
“Physically, I think I’m better than him. We’re more cautious about his boxing style and his counterattacks. In all areas of boxing, I think I’m better than him. But in boxing, nothing is won in advance. We have to stay vigilant.”
styling exercise
Indeed, Mbilli is not used to rubbing shoulders with boxers who, like him, have foreheads all over their heads. So he had to adapt his preparation during his training camp to the somewhat enigmatic style of Alexander.
“He’s someone who pushes forward and pushes. It has a bit of American style. He knows how to stand tall when there’s fireworks in front of him,” Mbilli explained.
“He’s a tough guy who’s not afraid of anyone,” added his coach Samuel Descarie. He is also not afraid of hand-to-hand combat, but feels more comfortable at a distance. He can box both forwards and backwards. It will allow Christian to work on different aspects of his boxing.
Mbilli has not fought in France in front of family and friends since December 13, 2019, when he crushed American KeAndrae Leatherwood. He vowed to provide a “spectacular fight for the fans” and to win by hearts as he would have to “live up to his goals” regardless of the nature of his opponent.
“I am destined to be world champion. Certainly I don’t see a split decision or a close fight.”
“If we’re impressed by someone who’s robbed or has a lot of tattoos, we stay home. I’m in the ring to do a job and do it right. We sell slaps in the face, we’re not here to give political speeches.