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Philippines, 17 Jan 2026 |
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WBC Greenlights Noel Mikaelyan’s Cruiserweight Title Shot; Don King Vows to "Make Boxing Great Again" PhilBoxing.com Sun, 02 Feb 2025  Don King (L) and Noel Mikaelyan. The World Boxing Council (WBC) has officially positioned Noel Mikaelyan (27-2, 12 KOs) as the next mandatory challenger for its cruiserweight title, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in the division. The announcement came via a direct email from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to legendary promoter Don King, who represents the Armenian-German contender. The WBC’s Mandatory Order In the email, Sulaiman confirmed that Mikaelyan, currently ranked No. 2 in the WBC cruiserweight rankings, will face the winner of the upcoming Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki title bout. The fight, expected to happen in spring, will determine who defends the belt against Mikaelyan. Excerpt from Sulaiman’s email to Don King: “Serve this letter as confirmation from the WBC that Noel Mikaelyan has been confirmed as eligible to return to the ring. The WBC has ruled that the winner of the upcoming bout between Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki must fight next Noel Mikaelyan.” This ruling solidifies Mikaelyan’s path to a championship opportunity after a career marked by resilience. The 34-year-old contender last fought in [insert recent fight date], securing a decisive victory to maintain his position in the WBC hierarchy. The 92-year-old Hall of Fame promoter, Don King, who has guided icons like Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez, seized the moment to reignite his trademark fervor. “Noel Mikaelyan is a warrior, and the fans deserve this fight,” King declared. “We want to make boxing great again—starting with crowning a new cruiserweight king!” King’s involvement adds a layer of nostalgia and urgency to the matchup. The cruiserweight division, often overshadowed by heavyweight glamour, could see renewed attention with Mikaelyan’s power and King’s promotional theatrics. The WBC’s mandate places immediate pressure on Badou Jack (29-3-3, 17 KOs), the reigning champion, and Canadian brawler Ryan Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs), who collide in a highly anticipated clash. Jack, a former two-division champion, aims to defend his title in what could be his final career run at age 41. Rozicki, known as “The Bruiser,” brings relentless aggression and a 95% knockout rate, making him a dangerous wildcard. Whoever emerges victorious will face Mikaelyan, a technically sound boxer with underrated power. “This is my destiny,” Mikaelyan said. “I respect both Jack and Rozicki, but I’m coming for that belt.” The WBC’s decision injects clarity into a division ripe for fresh rivalries. For Mikaelyan, it’s a career-defining opportunity to claim a world title after years of grinding through the European circuit. For King, it’s a chance to reassert his influence in a sport increasingly dominated by new-era promoters. “Mikaelyan’s footwork and counterpunching could trouble either Jack or Rozicki,” said boxing analyst Dan Rafael. “But Don King’s ability to sell this fight will be just as critical. The man still knows how to create a spectacle.” With the Jack-Rozicki bout looming, fight fans can expect King to ramp up his trademark promotional blitz. Whether Mikaelyan’s skill and King’s showmanship can indeed “make boxing great again” remains to be seen—but the cruiserweight division just got a lot more interesting.  |
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