Opetaia and Mikaelian Ready for a Unification Bout: WBC Champion Gives Green Light

IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) could soon take part in a unification bout against WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs). Following Mikaelian’s recent victory over Badou Jack, both sides have publicly expressed their readiness for the fight.

Earlier, the 30-year-old Australian stated that now is the perfect time to unify the belts:

“This is the best time to unify the titles. I respect Noel as a fighter and a champion, but I believe that right now I am the best cruiserweight in the world.”

The response from the WBC champion came quickly. In an interview with BoxingScene, Mikaelian made it clear that he is open to facing Opetaia:

“Great, let’s do it — I’m ready. Just tell him to sign the big check,” Mikaelian said late Saturday night after the fight.

It should be noted that 35-year-old Armenian boxer Noel Mikaelian won the WBC title for the second time in his career, defeating former three-division world champion Badou Jack by unanimous decision — 115-111, 116-110, and 116-110.

The bout was tough and intense, featuring two point deductions, a clash of heads that left Jack with a serious hematoma on his forehead, and a controversial moment after the eighth round when both fighters continued exchanging punches near the ropes even after the bell.

Mikaelian later admitted that emotions got the better of him.

Promoted by Don King, Mikaelian emphasized that he is interested exclusively in unification bouts:

“I’m waiting for unifications. Whoever has the belts — those are the guys I want to fight.”

Meanwhile, the other two titles in the division — WBA and WBO — are held by Mexican fighter Gilberto Ramirez, who previously defeated Arsen Goulamirian. As a result, the cruiserweight division is on the verge of a series of major unification fights, with the potential headline clash being Opetaia vs. Mikaelian for the IBF, RING, and WBC titles.