Philippines, 24 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Don King Productions Rejects Jake Paul's Demand for Mikaelian Step-Aside, Citing WBC Ranking Rules


PhilBoxing.com





Don King Productions, the legendary promotional outfit headed by Hall of Fame promoter Don King, has emphatically rejected Jake Paul’s recent request for former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian to step aside from his highly anticipated world title rematch against current champion Badou Jack. The denial throws a significant wrench into Jake Paul's apparent plans to quickly secure a fight for the WBC Cruiserweight strap.

King's statement, delivered from his Florida headquarters, made it clear that a step-aside agreement for Mikaelian is not on the table. More fundamentally, the veteran promoter asserted that the World Boxing Council (WBC) would not even be in a position to sanction a matchup between Jake Paul and Badou Jack at this time, citing a crucial procedural hurdle: Paul is not currently ranked by the WBC in the cruiserweight division.

"The WBC has clear rules and rankings that must be respected," a spokesperson for Don King Productions stated. "Noel Mikaelian has earned his mandatory rematch, and that is what he is focused on. Furthermore, for Mr. Paul to even be considered for a WBC title fight, he first needs to establish himself within the rankings. This isn't a popularity contest; it's about adhering to the sport's legitimate procedures."

This firm stance from Don King Productions comes hot on the heels of Jake Paul's recent unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr. in Anaheim, a win that Paul's camp touted as a significant step towards gaining legitimacy in the boxing world. Following that fight, Paul publicly called out both Badou Jack and Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, signaling his ambition to challenge established champions in the cruiserweight division.

However, King's response highlights the bureaucratic realities of world championship boxing. The WBC, like other major sanctioning bodies, operates on a ranking system designed to provide a clear path for contenders to earn title shots. For Paul to bypass Mikaelian and directly challenge Jack, it would likely require an extraordinary exception from the WBC, which King suggests is highly improbable given Paul's unranked status in the division.

Noel Mikaelian (28-2, 12 KOs), who previously held the WBC Cruiserweight title before losing it to Jack, has a contractual right to a rematch, a right that Don King is clearly intent on protecting. This rejection by Don King Productions underscores the challenges Jake Paul faces as he attempts to transition from a crossover phenomenon to a fully recognized contender in the traditional boxing landscape, where rankings and mandatory challenges often dictate the championship picture. The path to a world title appears to be more complicated than a simple call-out for "The Problem Child."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • ‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025
  • Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 Aug 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed
    , Wed, 20 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.