Pleased to be the man to beat, Christian Mbilli spoke about this new chapter in his career after 10 years of hard work to reach the top, as well as his intention to fight for a world title in France soon.
France hadn’t had a male world champion since Nordine Oubaali (2019) and Arsen Goulamirian (2019-2023). You’re a source of pride, but you’re also on another continent. Do you think your achievement is getting the recognition it deserves?
"I’m in a bit of a complicated situation because I’ve been Franco-Canadian for two or three years now. I got my citizenship, I’m very proud to be Québécois and to have integrated into this community. But I haven’t forgotten my Cameroonian roots, my French nationality, and everything that makes me French.
"I want to thank the French media, like Flashscore, for covering my news. It’s true that it’s tough to be present in all three places, but I do my best, just like my team, who try to reach out to as many journalists as possible worldwide. I’m really happy about that.
"In a few days, I’ll have a meeting with my team to discuss what’s next and my upcoming fight. I probably won’t be boxing before May, so I’ll be heading back to France in a few weeks. I’ll visit my clubs, see my family, and do some press conferences. I’m doing my best, but I especially never forget my French fans or the French national team who still support me."
In 2025, we talked about the possibility of facing Canelo Alvarez. The victory of Terence Crawford changed the landscape, and now you’re the regular WBC world champion. You’re popular with the American public, which is essential. In short, you’ve reached the place you wanted. Is it overwhelming?
"We made it! Thanks to my work and my team’s efforts, my coaches and the promotion company. It’s a lot of work; we’ve been grinding for 10 years, pushing through the pandemic, through Canelo, through politics and everything else.
"We’re very proud to be here. The best is yet to come, and there’s still a lot to achieve. I’m truly grateful to the press for their support from the very beginning."
Many French fans hope to see you fight in France. That couldn’t happen against Kevin Sadjo?
"Of course, we hope to fight in France. From my very first meeting with Camille Estephan (the CEO of Eye Of The Tiger), I told him my dream was to become world champion and defend my title in Quebec (back then, the Bell Centre was very popular), in Paris (maybe at the U Arena), and in Yaoundé.
"At the time, the Bell Centre in Montreal was the go-to venue, but now it would probably be the Centre Videotron in Quebec City. In Paris, why not the Défense Arena? I still believe in that dream, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed - there’s a good chance there will be a fight in France if everything goes well."
After many years in the shadows, France is seeing a new generation getting close to world titles. Do you feel that, by being the first, by being close to the global organisations and Turki Al-Sheikh, you’re becoming an international flag-bearer who will encourage promoters to invest in French fighters?
"I hope that’s what will happen. Boxing in France is a bit short of breath at the moment. The current situation explains that. We lack media weight. I do interviews with French journalists and will keep doing them, but boxing is more respected in Canada.
"Proof: when we hold a press conference, all the Quebec media are there, but only one French outlet shows up. Camille Estephan and Eye Of The Tiger have done a lot of groundwork to bring boxing back into the spotlight. That’s what we’re missing in France.
"We’re not football or rugby, but we need that kind of support for boxers, like Camille provides, to put fighters in the spotlight and develop a very strategic career plan to perform and win titles.
"I feel very lucky and happy to have moved abroad. It was the best decision, and I hope to set an example, just as Camille does, so we can build partnerships with the French market. We’d like to revive it, but for a promoter, it’s still very hard to operate on two continents at once, with two different jurisdictions."
Beyond moving abroad, it seems building a career is the real challenge, right?
"I often say this, and it’s a bit sad: when a boxer asks me for advice, I tell him he has to leave France. I don’t say it for fun. There are no facilities, no big names, no major promoters willing to fight for a long-term vision.
"When I arrived here, Canada was in more or less the same situation, but thanks to Camille’s work, he revived Quebec boxing, also because there’s an audience of real fans who want to see big fights. We hope France will follow that example in a few years, and I’ll do everything I can to help make it happen."