Mbili draw recap

The timing is noteworthy. Martinez is coming off a 12-round draw with Christian Mbili, a fight that sparked debate about the way the fight was officiated. Mbili had consistent success from close range, running tight combinations inside while Martinez repeatedly used his forearms and shoulders to create space. Despite the frequent pushing and shoving, the referee did not deduct points, a decision that many observers believed affected the final scorecard.

Martinez didn’t officially lose the fight, but his performance didn’t put him significantly ahead of the division’s leading contenders. The middle rounds were characterized by constant internal communication, which Mbili seemed to do cleaner and more efficiently. The tie leaves Martinez undefeated but leaves open questions about how he stacks up against the upper echelons of 168 pounds.

The interim request also comes amid a departmental transition. Terrence Crawford’s retirement has left sanctioning bodies scrambling to identify a new title holder, with several belts recently being upgraded or vacated. The WBC now faces another decision on how to define its interim status in a reshuffled landscape.

Ranked Depth at 168 lbs.

If the WBC approves the petition, the choice of opponent will carry weight. Remove names like Ousli Iglesias, Hamza Sheraz, Diego Pacheco and Jaime Munguia from the available pool, and the list of credible interim-level options will quickly shrink. These fighters either have a better chance or are less likely to accept the assignment.

The lower the selection is, the more scrutiny the temporary label will attract.

The WBC has yet to rule on that request, but the approval itself could be just as important as the name that comes up opposite Martinez on March 21.