A hard-hitting unbeaten star has finally achieved his dream of becoming a world champion.
Christian M’billi is the latest super-middleweight to be elevated to full world champion status after Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing last month.
‘Bud’ Crawford sensationally defeated Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez back in September to become the undisputed champion at 168lbs in what would prove to be the final ring appearance of his career.
It has now been confirmed by the WBC that M’billi has been elevated to full WBC super-middleweight champion, bringing an end to his reign as the WBC interim title holder at 168lbs.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Christian Mbilli has been elevated from Interim to WBC Super Middleweight Champion during the WBC weekly press conference.
@MbilliChristian#wbcboxingpic.twitter.com/D2k4WdfTjx
— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) January 27, 2026
The hard-hitting 30-year-old made the only defence of his interim title on the undercard of Crawford’s win over Canelo when he fought to a split draw against Guatemala’s Lester Martinez at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
M’Billi was then ordered to fight the UK’s Hamzah Sheeraz for the vacant belt, but has benefitted from a direct upgrade following the WBC cancelling that order. The pair could still face off down the line, with Sheeraz now likely to face Diego Pacheco for the vacant WBO belt.
The new champion may also finally get a call from Canelo’s team having been unable to land a fight as challenger. The Mexican returns in September, and may want to win back the belts he lost to Crawford.
