German cruiserweight world champion Noel Mikaelian lost to the favored Australian Jai Opetaia in the title bout of the Zuffa boxing series in Las Vegas.
WBC world champion Noel Mikaelian stepped into the ring on Saturday in Las Vegas (USA) to face top star Jai Opetaia. But for the 35-year-old, the dream of winning his first professional fight in the boxing mecca of Las Vegas remained unfulfilled. Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) won by technical knockout in the ninth round and remains undefeated. Mikaelian suffered his fourth loss in his 32nd professional bout.
At the Zuffa Boxing event at the T-Mobile Arena, the Zuffa Cruiserweight World Championship and the prestigious “The Ring” belt were on the line. Mikaelian’s WBC belt was not up for grabs, as the world governing body had not approved the bout—held under the Zuffa banner—as a world title fight. The German boxer of Armenian descent did not face mandatory challenger David Benavidez (USA) as required by the WBC . He now even faces the possibility of having his WBC belt stripped.
The favorite faltered
In his bout against Opetaia, Mikaelian—who went into the fight as a 1:16 underdog—took an early hit, and a tough fight ensued. Then, in the seventh round, came “The Dark Horse’s” big moment. A right hand landed on Opetaia; the favorite wavered and had to clinch. Mikaelian seemed to have him, but the Australian cleverly escaped the danger.
After that, the momentum of the fight shifted again. Mikaelian’s left eye swelled up more and more, and his opponent’s punches came faster and harder. In the ninth round, Opetaia unleashed a devastating combination, causing the WBC champion to slump exhausted against the ropes and be counted out while still on his feet. The referee then finally stopped the fight.
In the main event of the highly publicized evening in Las Vegas organized by Zuffa Boxing, American Ryan Garcia and Englishman Conor Benn fought for the WBC welterweight title. “King Ry” caught his rival with a thunderous right hand 45 seconds into the second round. Benn went down and was counted out by the referee. The Brit managed to get back to his feet, but Garcia pressed the attack and pounded him fiercely against the ropes. After 1 minute and 25 seconds, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight while Benn was still on his feet.
Text: Frank Schwantes