Jai Opetaia takes aim at David Benavidez after Mikaelian announcement
On September 12 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn will headline a co-promoted card between Zuffa Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions. Fight fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland will be able to catch the action live on DAZN, while the rest of the world can watch the event on Paramount+. The co-feature fight for September 12 has now been announced by Zuffa Boxing, with Jai Opetaia facing the WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian.
Zuffa Boxing announce Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
The WBC had ordered Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) to face the WBA/WBO unified champion David Benavidez, but the Zuffa announcement appears to have ripped those plans up.
The Armenian could be stripped of his WBC crown before he sets foot in the ring against Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs).
Reacting to the announcement of the Opetaia fight, Mikaelian said: “This is the fight I’ve wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I’m ready to deliver.”
“I haven’t fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their titles, and that’s exactly what I’m prepared to do,” added the Armenian.
In a press release from Zuffa, Opetaia said: “This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet.”
“Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others – yes, David Benavidez, I’m talking about you – continue to run and hide.”
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian
Jai Opetaia was last in action on March 8, producing a dominant unanimous decision victory against the durable American Brandon Glanton to retain his Ring Magazine title and win the Zuffa cruiserweight championship. It was announced after that bout that the IBF would be stripping Opetaia of his world title.
Opetaia’s team took legal action by suing the IBF on July 14, when his attorney filed a 123-page complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. The heavy-handed southpaw is looking to be reinstated as the full IBF champion.
Noel Mikaelian has not fought since his rematch win over Badou Jack in December, 2025, with his next fight thought to be Benavidez.
BoxingScene are reporting that the Zuffa announcement came shortly after the promoters WBO/WBA cruiserweight champion David Benavidez and Mikaelian told BoxingScene they have signed a contract for a December 12 unification in Glendale, Arizona, making this Zuffa announcement even more staggering.
Mikaelian’s promoter Don King told BoxingScene, “Well, [Mikaelian] has a signed contract with me. I love Noel, and I hope he does the right thing.”
Anthony Girges, Mikaelian’s advisor, added some context regarding the reports on Benavidez vs Mikaelian:
”My job has always been to put Noel in the best position to succeed. More than 60 days after Noel vs. David Benavidez was ordered, we still haven’t received a bona fide offer. Noel wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines any longer.”
“This isn’t just about two champions in Noel and Opetaia. It’s about protecting the integrity of the sport and making the fights the fans deserve,” added Girges.
It remains to be seen whether Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian goes ahead and what titles are on the line, but one thing is certain: if the bout does proceed, Opetaia’s Ring Magazine title will be up for grabs.
Stay tuned to this story, there will be more twists and turns coming!
Featured Image Credit:
Mikey Williams Top Rank Boxing
Ricky Carroll
Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Andy Cruz to win a world title. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.