Christian Mbilli-Diego Pacheco talks in the works, would provide 168 division the 50-50 action it’s lacked

While it’s more than true that super middleweight fight fans have been deprived of the ideal bouts they seek in recent years, others in the division appear committed to testing themselves.

The Canadian promoter for WBC and WBA top-ranked contender Christian Mbilli says his fighter embraces the “opportunity” of fighting fellow unbeaten and WBO top-ranked contender Diego Pacheco next, as planned talks with Pacheco promoter, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, proceed.

“We … want this fight,” Mbilli promoter Camille Estephan told BoxingScene Thursday. “It seems like Pacheco is willing, as well, and it’s a matter of getting together with [Matchroom] to see if we can begin negotiations and whether it’s economically viable.”

Mbilli, 28-0 (23 KOs), is coming off an August unanimous decision over former title challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko and the 23-year-old Pacheco, 23-0 (18 KOs), scored a hard-fought unanimous-decision triumph over another veteran, Steven Nelson, January 25 in Las Vegas.

As super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez disappointed fans by avoiding unbeaten former champion David Benavidez last year by fighting Jaime Munguia and Edgar Berlanga – and now has agreed to fight massive underdog and IBF champion William Scull and four-division champion Terence Crawford this year – Mbilli versus Pacheco would strengthen the mandatory contender position of the winner beyond where they already stand.

Estephan said the venue and date are flexible considering Pacheco fought more recently.

“The fans really want to see this fight,” Estephan said. “Both guys are looked upon as the next big thing.”

Pacheco spoke about his future recently and alluded to bouts including Mbilli and former 168lbs champion Caleb Plant.

Also of note is that in a “status” update for its champions released Wednesday, the WBC mentioned that “a tournament will be restructured with the top contenders in the [super-middleweight] division who are available.” 

“Nothing’s locked in yet, but we’re in the works of making some big fights happening,” Pacheco said earlier this month. “That’s what we’re in the sport for, trying to get to the top. That’s what we’re going for. I have good faith we’re making the right decisions for my career.”

Estephan said the mutual interest is tantalizing.

“Usually, when both athletes want the fight, the fight tends to happen,” he said.