The head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh, and promoter Lou DiBella have both voiced their belief that the fight between Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko (15-6, 10 KOs) and Frenchman Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) should have been stopped due to Sergiy’s injury.
Turki Al-Sheikh took to Twitter, stating: “His left hand is injured. He’s not using it. He’s 38 years old, fighting with one hand – stop the fight.”
Lou DiBella also criticized the decision to let the fight continue: “The fact that his corner allowed Derevyanchenko to take that brutal beating for no reason is disgraceful. Sorry, I don’t care. This is unacceptable.”
As a reminder, in the early hours of August 18 in Quebec, Canada, Christian Mbilli defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko by unanimous decision. In the 4th round, the Ukrainian suffered a left bicep injury and fought the remainder of the bout primarily with his right hand.