The Mbilli draw revisited
The timing is striking. Martinez is coming off a 12-round draw with Christian Mbilli, a fight that has sparked debate over how it was run. Mbilli had consistent success at close range, landing compact combinations on the inside while Martinez repeatedly used his forearms and shoulders to create space. The referee did not deduct any points despite the frequency of the punches, and many observers believed that the decision affected the final scorecards.
Martinez didn’t officially lose, but the performance didn’t clearly establish him ahead of the division’s top contenders. Several middle rounds featured sustained inside exchanges where Mbilli seemed to do the cleaner, more efficient job. The draw kept Martinez undefeated, but it left open questions about how he stacks up against the top tier at 168 pounds.
The interim request also lands at a moment of transition in the section. Terence Crawford’s retirement has left sanctioning bodies struggling to formalize new title holders, and several belts have recently been upgraded or vacated. The WBC now faces another decision on how it defines interim status in a reshuffled landscape.
Ranking depth at 168 pounds
If the WBC approves the petition, the opponent selection will carry weight. Remove names like Osleys Iglesias, Hamzah Sheeraz, Diego Pacheco and Jaime Munguia from the available pool, and the list of credible interim-level options quickly narrows. Those fighters are either positioned for bigger opportunities or are unlikely to accept this assignment.
The further down the rankings the pick goes, the more scrutiny the interim tag will attract.
The WBC has yet to rule on the request, but the approval itself may be just as important as the name opposite Martinez on March 21.
