Noel Mikaelian returned the favor in the second duel, winning unanimously on points after a tough exchange of blows and once again taking the WBC cruiserweight crown.
On the night in Los Angeles, California, the boxing world witnessed a thrilling and hard-fought rematch: Noel Mikaelian crowned himself the new WBC cruiserweight world champion by defeating Badou Jack by unanimous decision on points in their long-awaited second clash at Ace Mission Studios. The 35-year-old Mikaelian gained revenge for his narrow defeat in May. The judges scored the fight 115-111, 116-110 and 116-110 in favor of the challenger.
An intense exchange of blows developed from the first bell. Both boxers delivered a tough, tactical fight in which hard hits and infight duels dominated the scene. The fight became increasingly rough and confusing in the middle rounds, which ultimately led to points being deducted for both fighters: Mikaelian was warned for a hit to the back of the head, while Jack was deducted points for a punch after the bell.
In the championship rounds, Mikaelian set the decisive accents with a higher punch frequency, clean work and constant pressure. His activity paid off on the scorecards and secured him a clear points victory and his second reign as WBC cruiserweight champion.
This defeat could be a turning point for 42-year-old Badou Jack. In his statements after the fight, the veteran hinted at doubts about his sporting future. Mikaelian’s triumph represents a milestone in his career and shakes up the balance of power in the cruiserweight division – with exciting prospects for the weight class heading into 2026.