Ryan Rozicki is fully healed and ready to resume his career.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the top-rated cruiserweight contender was cleared from a torn biceps injury he suffered earlier this year. Rozicki is now set to return to the ring on October 25 in his hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In his first fight in nearly a year, Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), will face South Africa’s Akani Phuzi, 14-3 (6 KOs), in a scheduled ten-round regional title fight.
“After this layoff, I just want to get back in the ring, win this (WBC Continental Americas) belt,” Rozicki told BoxingScene. “Then, of course, fight for the world title.”
Given the aggressive plans for 2026 and beyond, it is theorized by Rozicki’s team that the clash with Phuzi could be his last at home as he aims to advance to the global stage.
“We’re excited to bring Ryan Rozicki back home to Sydney, Nova Scotia, on October 25th for what promises to be an explosive matchup against South Africa’s Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi,” said Daniel Otter, managing director of Three Lions Promotions. “This could very well be Ryan’s final fight in Cape Breton as he resumes his world title pursuit abroad, making it a special opportunity for local fans to witness him live.”
Rozicki was at that point in his previously scheduled contest. He was due to challenge WBC cruiserweight titlist Badou Jack, 29-3-3 (17 KOs) on the May 3 Riyadh Season show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A torn right biceps tendon not only forced him out of the fight but also bumped him from his position as the WBC’s mandatory challenger at cruiserweight.
Jack went on to face and defeat former titleholder Noel Mikaelyan, 27-3 (12 KOs). The decision was disputed enough to where Mikaelyan successfully lobbied for an immediate rematch.
The winner of that bout will be required to then face interim titleholder Michael Cieslak, which pushes Rozicki further down the queue. It’s a fate he has since accepted.
“I was sparring for my fight with Jack,” Rozicki recalled of the incident. “I threw a right to the body and my tendon snapped. I certainly wasn’t expecting that, but I knew it when I heard it pop. I didn’t see it (damaged bicep) until I looked down and saw my bicep pulled up to my shoulder.
“At first, I was distraught, but after some time I believed everything happens for a reason and that will show in the near future. There have been some difficult moments. I just went back to the gym for the first time (since he suffered his injury) since it happened. I just keep thinking about the future and what’s coming.”
The bout will be Rozicki’s first since a hard-fought draw with fellow top contender Yamil Peralta in their rematch last December, also in Sydney. That night marked his lone fight of 2024, as Rozicki spent all year waiting out a mandatory title fight with then-WBC titleholder Mikaelyan.
Phuzi will make his North American debut with the opportunity.
The 31-year-old cruiserweight from Gauteng, South Africa has previously fought just once before away from home – an October 2023 eight-round decision defeat to 2020 Olympic silver medalist Muslim Gadzhimagomedov in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He will fight as a longshot underdog but is eager to show that Rozicki and his team made the wrong decision in ringing his number.
“I have trained my whole life for an opportunity like this,” Phuzi said. “I am coming to spoil Rozicki’s plan, take his ranking, and fight for the world title.”
Rozicki and his team naturally have other ideas.
The plan is to win a regional belt in October, allow the mandatory process to play out and then reposition Rozicki for a WBC title fight within his next few fights.
“I’m going to get that WBC World title belt,” Rozicki exclaimed.
Added Otter: “We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for his ongoing support, reflected in Ryan’s recognition by Ring Magazine. Our appreciation also goes to WBC President Maurico Sulaiman and Alberto Leon of the WBC for sanctioning this bout.
“While this may not be the title fight we originally had in mind at the start of the year, it’s the perfect comeback bout for Rozicki following his injury. His opponent is no slouch, and this will be a real test that fans won’t want to miss.”
UNDERCARD SLOTS
Per Three Lions, the undercard will feature a six-round bantamweight clash between Meilyn Sanchez, 3-0 (1 KO) – a Mexican prospect based in Ontario, Canada – and Costa Rica’s Silvia Duan, 4-3 (3 KOs).
Also in action are Canadian super middleweight titlist John Michael Bianco, 9-1 (4 KOs) and local middleweight Brett Beaton, 6-3 (4 KOs) in separate bouts. Opponents were not yet set for either boxer as this goes to publication.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are sale through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca) and the Centre 200 website (www.centre200.ca).
“We’re expecting a packed house,” insisted Otter.
