For Christian Mbilli, Win Over Mark Heffron Could Lead to Sergiy Derevyanchenko Fight

Super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli has his next two fights already mapped out.

Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) will welcome England’s Mark Heffron (30-3-1, 24 KOs) to the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan, Quebec, on Saturday in an ESPN+ main event.

“I think inactivity can be the biggest enemy to any fighter,” Eye of the Tiger promoter Camille Estephan told BoxingScene. “Mbilli is a bright guy and he gets it. He’s got Mark Heffron in front of him on Saturday, who is going to bring it. He’s a puncher. Christian has to be very wary and careful defensively. Heffron will bring another market; he has a fanbase in England. Hopefully we can tap into that.”

France’s Mbilli comes in as the overwhelming favorite against Heffron, and his promoter is already planning ahead.

“We have something lined up to announce after the show for Christian if he wins, God willing.” Estephan said. “It will be in August. Sometimes we want to bring the A-side here, and that’s what we plan to do for Christian this summer. Make plans for Quebec City this August. He knows what is on the line.”

It has since been reported that Mbilli will take on Ukraine’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) in Quebec City on Aug. 17. Derevyanchenko, a multiple-division title challenger based out of Brooklyn, New York, most recently defeated Vaughn Alexander in April following a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Jaime Munguia last June.

Derevyanchenko challenged Jermall Charlo for the WBC middleweight title nearly four years ago. He has also lost world title fights against Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs.