Mbilli vs Derevyanchenko
Mbilli won overwhelmingly against Derevyanchenko in a match where a left arm injury was too big of a barrier for the Ukrainian boxer.
In his usual style, Mbilli attacked Derevyanchenko from the opening bell, forcing his opponent to attack from a passive position.
In the third round, when Derevyanchenko was not really putting any power into his punches, Mbilli was able to come forward and throw hooks and uppercuts. Derevyanchenko suffered a bruise under his right eye, but when he walked back to his corner, he said he had injured his left bicep. Since the straight punch was his main weapon, Derevyanchenko was badly injured.
He used his left in the fourth round but very little and not much hard and he had trouble getting leverage when he threw his right where he usually used his left. He didn’t turn to his left hand so he threw a straight right with his left foot forward. The change in Derevyanchenko’s approach seemed to confuse Mbilli.
Mbilli continued to stalk Derevyanchenko in the final three rounds with Derevyanchenko running around the perimeter, fighting in short bursts but really just trying to survive. The referee reviewed the action a few times in the final round but there was no reason to stop the fight. Mbilli won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. In a way, they were both losers. Derevyanchenko lost by decision and because of the injury he was severely handicapped, it took away some of the luster that would have been there if Mbilli had beaten him when he was still fully functional.
Vianello vs. Makhmudov
Vianello claimed a big win when Makhmudov was pulled from the fight by the doctor early in the eighth round due to swelling that had kept his eye closed since the fourth round.
From the start of the first round it was clear that Vianello was too quick for the heavy Makhmudov.
By the third round, there was a dangerous-looking swelling under Makhmudov’s left eye, and Vianello’s accurate strikes made the problem worse. In the fourth, Vianello did what he could to be as effective as possible. He was aware of the disadvantage Makhmudov was at with his left eye closed, and he landed most of his scoring with right hands that Makhmudov could not have foreseen.
The ringside doctor examined Makhmudov at the start of the fifth round but allowed the fight to continue. Makhmudov was examined again in the sixth round but was allowed to continue despite his severely impaired vision and again in the seventh round with Vianello continuing to fight Makhmudov and scoring all the points. The doctor and referee consulted after the end of the seventh round but did not signal the end of the fight. However, when the bell rang to signal the start of the eighth round as the fighters left their corners, another examination brought the fight to a halt.
Makhmudov’s left eye being closed decided the outcome but Vianello’s performance made up for a split decision loss to Efe Ajagba in April. Second in distance defeat in Makhmudov’s last three fights and all his limitations were on display here.
Bentley (R) showed his strength in the second consecutive match
Bentley vs Osaze
Bentley won spectacularly against Osaze in round 2.
There was some good attacking early on as Osaze came forward to pressure Bentley with good jabs and some sharp counters.
Osaze turned up the pressure in the second round, looking dangerous with a few right hands. As Osaze continued to attack, Bentley landed a frightening right hook. Osaze stopped and then fell forward, face down, and the referee quickly called an end to the fight. Bentley is defending his WBO International Middlewight title and now has 17 wins by KO/TKO. Fellow Londoner Osaze lost on points to Tyler Denny in June 2021, and this was only his fourth fight in the last three years. Despite losing to Nathan Healey in November, Bentley is still ranked second in the WBO. Osaze was helpful and will hopefully be more aggressive.
Match of the week: (Meaning): Christian Mbilli’s victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko gives Mbilli a chance to compete for the championship next year.
Match of the week: (Entertainment): Ben Frail and Panamanian Omir Rodriguez staged a classic match at the legendary York Hall.
Warrior of the week: Guido Vianello bounced back from a controversial loss to Efe Ajagba with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Punch of the week:Denzel Bentley’s right hook that knocked out Derrick Osaze was terrifying
The Turn of the Week: Do not have
Prospect Watch:Canadian super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu, 19, is 10-0 with six wins by KO/TKO and is in good form.
Observe
Rose: Join Eye of the Tiger Promotions and Top Rank for the only big show of the week
Red card: No real bad guys this week
