Moderately than talking about mandatories or the mechanics of a primary defence, Mbilli focused on opponent value. He named Saul Alvarez, Jaime Munguia, Caleb Plant, and Edgar Berlanga as targets. The message was easy. His next fight must lift his profile, not only add one other defence to his record.
That admission says more about Mbilli’s position than the title upgrade itself. After years near the highest of the rankings, he has reached champion status without becoming a draw. The WBC belt confirms his place within the division. It doesn’t force the division to reply to him.
In practical terms, the elevation can have cost him leverage. As interim champion, Mbilli was attached to an obligation. As a full champion, he enters a voluntary window and waits for an opponent who gains something by facing him. The fighters he mentioned don’t need him in the identical way he needs them.
The one fight that might settle questions stays on hold. A rematch with Lester Martinez, who fought Mbilli to a draw, has been pushed back in favour of a much bigger name. Mbilli acknowledged the bout is prone to occur later, but not now.
That selection reflects the bind he’s in. A Martinez rematch brings risk without adding profile, while the names he’s chasing bring profile without obligation.
Mbilli didn’t attempt to soften that reality. He said it plainly. He holds a world title and still has to sell himself.
The belt is real, but recognition has not followed. Until that changes, Mbilli’s title reign begins from a waiting posture slightly than certainly one of control.