“This Isn’t the First Time”: Mbilli’s Promoter Blasts Pacheco and Matchroom

Camille Estephan, president of Eye of The Tiger Promotions and promoter of unbeaten super middleweight Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs), has voiced his frustration after Diego Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) pulled out of negotiations for a WBC-ordered showdown with Mbilli.

“I’m not surprised, I’m disappointed in how they handled it—waiting until the very last day. It’s frustrating because the fans wanted this fight,” Estephan said.

“It’s also frustrating because it’s the fighter who pays the price. I don’t think Pacheco is the biggest ticket-seller in California. This was fight avoidance—whether from the fighter or the promoter. And it’s not the first time. It’s the second. They did the same thing with the IBF—pulled out a day before the purse bid.

That’s not the kind of message Matchroom and Pacheco should be sending for the sake of his career. It’s damaging and unethical to stall negotiations until the very end. But we move forward.”

Estephan confirmed that Mbilli will still fight this summer, and hopes it will be for the WBC interim title, though he acknowledged that sanctioning decisions remain outside of their control.

“Of course, we’re chasing the top of the food chain—Canelo. That’s the goal. There are real contenders and there are fake ones. What Matchroom and Pacheco are doing now is fake contender behavior.

If you duck a fight like this, you’re not a contender.”

Earlier reports indicated that Diego Pacheco is now in talks to face Trevor McCumby this summer instead.