Press Release:
On May 25th, the global contender and new recruit of Top Rank, Christian "Solid" Mbilli, will attempt to continue his worldwide conquest at the Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan. Facing him, the powerful British puncher Mark "Kid Dynamite" Heffron will try to slow down the ascent of the Montrealer by venturing into enemy territory to snatch his WBA International and WBC Continental Americas titles. In the co-main event, the man known as the "Lion," Arslanbek Makhmudov, will risk a return to the arena against the dangerous oceanic giant who defeated him in the amateur ranks, Junior Fa.
This internationally significant event will be presented by the Quebec promoter Eye of the Tiger, in collaboration with the Cataractes and the City of Shawinigan, and will be broadcast live on the Punching Grace and ESPN+ networks starting at 7:00 PM.
At the heart of this highly anticipated evening, Christian Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) hopes to force his competitors in the top 10 worldwide to face him by making more noise within the super-middleweight division. That's what he does every fight; with his stunning knockout of former #1 light heavyweight contender Nadjib Mohammedi, his epic 8th round against Ecuadorian puncher Carlos Góngora, and most recently, his destruction of Australian world contender Rohan Murdock. Achieved in front of over 10,000 spectators and several hundred thousand American listeners, this latest victory has put Mbilli in the spotlight in the super-middleweight division and throughout the southern border. Having impressed Top Rank and the United States, Mbilli is now heading towards a new conquest against Heffron.
Mark Heffron (30-3-1, 24 KOs) will thus cross the Atlantic bringing with him a striking force earning him an 80% knockout ratio. Beyond his powerful rear hand, the orthodox boxer has excellent mobility and a style that can pose problems for the current #2 WBC and WBA, #3 IBF, #4 WBO, and #2 of the prestigious Ring Magazine. All the ingredients are there for an exciting fight, as promised by the former Commonwealth champion himself.
A few months after his first career loss and a double hand fracture, Arslanbek Makhmudov (18-1, 17 KOs) will step back into the ring in Shawinigan to restart his conquest of the heavyweight division. After such a defeat, but especially such an injury, many would have first opted for a tune-up fight, but not the "Lion." With his hand fully healed, he is determined to prove that it was this injury that caused his loss and therefore, that no heavyweight in the world can defeat him when he is healthy. To send a message to the entire heavyweight division, he will attempt to avenge an old defeat against New Zealander Junior Fa (20-3, 11 KOs).
Junior Fa (20-3, 11 KOs) has also fought on the boxing card presented across the globe, in Riyadh, last December. In that duel, he faced Frank Sanchez for the WBC Continental Americas titles and the WBO title in the heavyweight division. With over 100 rounds of experience in 23 fights and a size just as imposing as that of the "Lion," Fa has what it takes to compete with the Montreal adoptee. He is determined to replicate the feat and beat Makhmudov again. His track record has proven itself, having fought elite athletes such as Joseph Parker with whom he went through the 12 rounds of a highly competitive fight.
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