Noel Mikaelian intends to face David Benavidez, not Jai Opetaia, says advisor
Jun 9, 2026 • 4:44 PM ET
Sampson Boxing/Championing Mental HealthAnthony Girges, advisor for WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, told BoxingScene Tuesday that Mikaelian prefers to face WBO cruiserweight champ David Benavidez and defend his title, rather than face Australia's unbeaten Jai Opetaia.
On May 29, Mikaelian, 28-3 (12 KOs), was reported to be in advanced negotiations to meet Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion Opetaia, however, hours after it was reported by BoxingScene, the WBC ordered Mikaelian to meet Benavidez, 32-0 (26 KOs), instead.
Speaking to BoxingScene, Girges said, “Noel has no intention of walking away from the belt. We are waiting for our offers.”
Girges said he was under the assumption he would immediately hear from Benavidez's promoter Sampson Lewkowicz , however, since the order was made, he has yet to hear from any of Benavidez’s reps, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, or Mikaelian’s own promoter, Don King.
“We've heard from nobody,” Girges said.
When contacted by BoxingScene, Lewkowicz reaffirmed the fight will happen. “It's not proper for me to contact the manager first,” he said. “I will be contacting Don King by tomorrow and presenting him an offer for the fight.”
Lance Pugmire has been a full-time boxing writer for nearly 20 years, serving now as BoxingScene’s U.S. Senior Writer and assistant producer for ProBoxTV’s “BoxingScene Today.” Pugmire capped a near 20-year career at the Los Angeles Times (sports investigations, NHL/MLB beat work, law enforcement/courts and boxing/UFC) to join The Athletic, and then USA Today. Pugmire’s stint at The Times started with the first Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez fight and the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jnr then-record pay-per-view, leading through a slew of ringside assignments at major bouts, including Mayweather-Pacquiao, Mayweather-Canelo and the Canelo-Golovkin trilogy. Lance’s appreciation for boxing is rooted in his admiration and appreciation for the fighters, gladiators who have proven to be the most forthcoming and candid of all the athletes he has interviewed over a career dating to 1990. Lance was honored to be named the 2022 winner of the Boxing Writers Association of America Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence and he’s collected many BWAA writing awards in categories ranging from breaking news to deep-dive long features.
