Title back, looking up: Noel Mikaelian challenges the cruiserweight elite after defeating Badou Jack.
Noel Mikaelian is back on top – and looking straight ahead. With a clear points victory in a heated rematch against Badou Jack, the 35-year-old once again secured the WBC cruiserweight world title on Saturday evening. After twelve intense rounds, Mikaelian left no doubts this time and won unanimously (116:110, 116:110, 115:111).
After his success, the Armenian-born fighter is clearly focusing on title fights. At the top of his wish list are fights against Ring and IBF champion Jai Opetaia and the winner of the duel between WBA/WBO title holder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and David Benavidez. “To find out who the best cruiserweight in the world is, we have to fight each other,” explained Mikaelian confidently. “I’ve never been away – now I’m world champion and ready for these challenges.”
Opetaia has also already signaled his willingness to fight. After his most recent knockout win against Hüseyin Cinkara, a unification fight is considered a realistic option for 2026. Mikaelian, who was crowned WBC champion for the first time in 2023 and has since been declared “Champion in Recess”, is therefore back in pole position for the biggest fights of his career.
Text by Robin Josten