Jai Opetaia has responded to Norair “Noel” Mikaeljan’s victory over Badou Jack by demanding a unification contest with the new WBC cruiserweight champion in 2026.
In his rematch with Jack at Los Angeles’ Ace Mission Studios the 35-year-old Mikaeljan earned a unanimous decision to record his finest win.
According to Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters, the promoter of the IBF champion Opetaia, a contract already existed for the winner of their rematch to confront his leading fighter in the new year.
Mikaeljan had previously presented as the more willing of the two to fight Opetaia, and the Australian and his promoter – determined to further his prospects a week on from the stoppage of Huseyin Cinkara that represented his third title defence of 2025 – have already moved to secure the unification showdown he has made little secret of wanting next.
“First of all, congratulations to Noel Mikaeljan,” said Opetaia. “He put in a strong, gritty performance against a very experienced fighter in Badou Jack and deserved the win. Becoming a two-time world champion is no small achievement.
“But now the time is right to unify the titles. I’m the Ring Magazine and IBF champion. He’s the WBC champion. This is the fight that makes sense for boxing and for the cruiserweight division. The fans want to see who the real number one is, and I’m ready to prove it.
“I respect Noel as a fighter and a champion. But I believe I’m the best cruiserweight in the world. Let’s unify the belts and show the fans what this division is really about.”
Opetaia, 30, is widely considered on course for the heavyweight division, but he has also been vocal about wanting to win the undisputed cruiserweight title first.
It is little secret that Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, the WBA and WBO champion, is prioritising a fight with David Benavidez in May 2026, and it was that that Francis referenced when he called for a match-up between Opetaia and Armenia’s Mikaeljan next.
“Boxing needs unification fights, it’s that simple,” the promoter said. “Jai has never shied away from anyone. He’s been crystal clear that he wants all the belts, and he’s willing to fight anyone who holds them.
“Let’s be honest – ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez wants absolutely nothing to do with Jai Opetaia. We’ve seen plenty of noise, but no action. Given that reality, the most logical and meaningful fight to make right now is Opetaia versus Mikaeljan.
“It’s champion versus champion. IBF and Ring Magazine versus WBC. It’s clean, it’s simple, and it gives the division exactly what it needs – clarity.”
