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 usual, Mbilli started the fight with Derevyanchenko aggressively from the opening bell, pushing his opponent to box defensively.
In the third round, Mbilli took advantage of Derevyanchenko’s lack of power in his punches, moving forward to connect with hooks and uppercuts. Signs of bruising were already appearing beneath Derevyanchenko’s right eye. As he returned to his corner, he indicated an injury to his left bicep. Given that his jab was his primary weapon, this injury was a significant handicap for Derevyanchenko.
In the fourth round, he sparingly used his left hand, lacking much force and struggling to gain leverage when throwing his right, where he would typically use his left. He opted out of switching to a southpaw stance, leading him to throw his right jab with his left foot forward. This alteration in Derevyanchenko’s style appeared to baffle Mbilli.
In the final three rounds, Mbilli persistently pursued Derevyanchenko, who was primarily focused on survival, fighting in brief spurts as he circled the ring’s perimeter. The referee closely monitored the match several times during the last round, but found no grounds to halt the fight. Mbilli emerged victorious with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92. However, both fighters suffered losses in a sense. Derevyanchenko was defeated, and his injury severely limited his capabilities, tarnishing the potential prestige Mbilli would have gained from defeating a fully functioning 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.
Right from the first round’s onset, it was evident that Vianello was too agile for the slow-moving Makhmudov.
By the third round, a menacing swelling had developed under Makhmudov’s left eye, which was further aggravated by Vianello’s precise hits. The fourth round saw Vianello carrying out the majority of the effective work. He was conscious of Makhmudov’s disadvantage, with his left eye unable to open, and he was primarily scoring with blows that Makhmudov couldn’t anticipate due to his compromised vision.
At the beginning of the fifth round, Makhmudov was examined by the ringside doctor who allowed the fight to continue. Despite his severely restricted vision, Makhmudov was examined again in the sixth round but was still permitted to continue fighting. The fight continued into the seventh with Vianello dominating the scoring and keeping the pressure on Makhmudov. Following the seventh round, the referee and the doctor conferred but did not end the fight. However, another examination at the start of the eighth round led to the fight being stopped as the boxers emerged from their corners.
The outcome was determined by the closure of Makhmudov’s left eye, but Vianello’s performance compensated for a narrow split-decision loss against Efe Ajagba in April. This was Makhmudov’s second loss within the distance in his last three fights, and all his limitations 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.
Right from the start, the action was intense as Osaze aggressively put Bentley under pressure. In response, Bentley defended well by effectively jabbing and throwing some sharp counter punches.
Osaze increased the intensity in the second round, appearing threatening with a series of overhand rights. However, as he advanced again, Bentley landed a powerful right uppercut. This brought Osaze to a standstill before he fell face first onto the canvas, prompting the referee to swiftly declare the fight over. Bentley, who was defending the WBO International Middleweight title, now boasts 17 wins by knockout or technical knockout. Osaze, also from London, had previously lost on points to Tyler Denny in June 2021, and this was his fourth fight in three years. Despite a defeat to Nathan Healey in November, Bentley holds the number two ranking with the WBO. Osaze showed potential and is expected to be more active in the future.
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
