Mbilli bags wide decision, Vianello scores big win, Bentley’s dramatic finish
Mbilli vs. Derevyanchenko
Mbilli scores a wide unanimous decision over Derevyanchenko in a fight where an injury to the left arm proves too big a handicap for the Ukrainian.
As per his usual style, Mbilli aggressively engaged Derevyanchenko from the start of the fight, causing his opponent to take a defensive stance.
During the third round, as Derevyanchenko wasn’t fully loading his punches, Mbilli took the opportunity to advance, landing hooks and uppercuts. Derevyanchenko was starting to show signs of bruising under his right eye. As he retreated to his corner, he gestured towards an injury on his left bicep. His jab – his primary weapon – was severely compromised due to this.
In the fourth round, he sparingly utilized his left with minimal snap and struggled to gain leverage when throwing his right, which was typically done with his left. He didn’t switch to a southpaw stance, hence he threw his right jab with his left foot forward. This alteration in Derevyanchenko’s tactics appeared to bewilder Mbilli.
Over the final three rounds, Mbilli persistently pursued Derevyanchenko, who was largely confined to the ring’s edge, fighting in brief spurts while primarily aiming to survive. Although the referee scrutinized the bout carefully in the last few rounds, there was no reason to intervene. Mbilli triumphed with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92. However, both fighters could be seen as losers to some extent. Derevyanchenko lost the match, and his injury not only severely hampered him but also detracted from the victory Mbilli could have had over a fully fit opponent.
Vianello vs. Makhmudov
Vianello gets a big win as Makhmudov is pulled out of the fight by the doctor at the start of the eighth round due to a swelling which had effectively closed his eye since the fourth round.
It was evident from the first round that Vianello was too swift for the slow-moving Makhmudov.
By the third round, Makhmudov was sporting a menacing swelling under his left eye, a condition that Vianello’s precise shots were exacerbating. In the fourth round, Vianello was the one effectively landing punches. He was cognizant of the disadvantage Makhmudov was grappling with due to his swollen left eye and capitalized on it. Most of his points were scored with right punches which Makhmudov was unable to anticipate.
At the beginning of the fifth round, the ringside doctor examined Makhmudov but allowed the fight to proceed. Despite Makhmudov’s severely limited vision, he was again examined in the sixth round but was still permitted to continue. In the seventh round, as Vianello continued to score against Makhmudov, yet another check-up was carried out. After the seventh round, the doctor and the referee had a consultation, but they did not terminate the fight. However, as the bell rang to commence the eighth round and the boxers moved out of their corners, another examination led to the fight being stopped.
Makhmudov’s left eye closure determined the outcome, but Vianello’s performance compensated for his narrow split decision defeat to Efe Ajagba in April. This was Makhmudov’s second loss within the distance in his last three fights, and all his shortcomings were exposed in this match.
For the second consecutive fight, Bentley (R) demonstrated his power.
Bentley vs. Osaze
Bentley scores dramatic second round win over Osaze.
From the get-go, the action was intense with Osaze aggressively advancing, pressuring Bentley. Bentley, on his part, was jabbing effectively and landed some sharp counter strikes.
Osaze increased the intensity in the second round, appearing threatening with some overhead rights. However, as he advanced once more, Bentley landed a powerful right uppercut. Osaze halted abruptly, then toppled forward onto the canvas, face down. The referee swiftly declared the match over. Bentley, who was defending the WBO International Middleweight title, now boasts 17 victories via knockout or technical knockout. Osaze, also from London, had previously lost on points to Tyler Denny in June 2021, and this was only his fourth match in the past three years. Despite a defeat to Nathan Healey in November, Bentley holds the number two ranking with the WBO. Osaze showed potential and it is hoped he will be more active moving forward.
Fight of the week: (Significance): Christian Mbilli’s win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko puts Mbilli in line for a title shot next year.
Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Unbeaten Ben Frail and Panamanian Omir Rodriguez staged a small hall classic war at the legendary York Hall.
Fighter of the week: Guido Vianello for rebounding from a disputed loss against Efe Ajagba with his win over Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Punch of the week: Denzel Bentley’s right hook that knocked out Derrick Osaze was chilling
Upset of the week: None
Prospect watch: Canadian super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu, 19, is 10-0 with six wins by KO/TKO and looking good.
Observations
Rosette: Jointly to Eye of the Tiger Promotions and Top Rank for the only big show of the week
Red Card: No real baddies this week
