It had been quite some time since Ryan Rozicki was last in the ring. And the cruiserweight contender has been waiting even longer for his shot at a world title – an opportunity that’s been postponed on several occasions.
First things first: Rozicki returned Saturday after a 15-month layoff with a second-round stoppage of the 12-4 Gerardo Mellado. The fight took place in Rozicki’s hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
“I want to get right back in the ring. My target right now is Noel Mikaelyan for the WBC world title,” Rozicki said afterward, according to a press release. “He dodged fighting me five times. I’ve earned that shot, and I would like to make it as soon as possible.”
Rozicki, now 21-1-1 (20 KOs), was previously in the ring in December 2024, when he fought to a draw in a rematch with fellow contender Yamil Peralta. That was Rozicki’s sole fight of 2024.
Rozicki was supposed to fight Mikaelyan for the WBC title in 2024, but that bout was postponed multiple times. Badou Jack, meanwhile, had been the “champion in recess” but announced his return to the ring, so he was restored to the full titleholder while Mikaelyan became the “champion in recess.”
Rozicki was supposed to challenge Jack on the May 3 undercard of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. William Scull. But Rozicki had to pull out of the Jack bout because of a biceps injury. Another injury caused Rozicki to withdraw from an October bout against Akani Phuzi.
Jack instead won a close majority decision over Mikaelyan on the Canelo-Scull show. They had a rematch this past December, which Mikaelyan won with a clear unanimous decision.
Last month, the WBC bumped Rozicki back to its No. 1 spot at cruiserweight.
Meanwhile, the WBC also has an interim titleholder, Michal Cieslak, who defeated Jean Pascal last June to win that belt. Rather than Cieslak getting the next shot at the primary title, however, the WBC had ordered the winner to defend against Peralta, who is currently ranked No. 2.
That means the door should be open for Rozicki to face Mikaelyan. But given past frustrations getting that fight to the finish line, Rozicki’s team wants to keep other options in consideration.
“If Mikaelyan isn’t available, we want the biggest fights in the cruiserweight division, whether that’s Jai Opetaia, Gilberto Ramirez or anyone else holding a world title,” said Rozicki’s promoter, Daniel Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Ryan Rozicki is one of the most dangerous fighters in boxing right now, and the cruiserweight division is officially on notice.”
Opetaia is due to defend against Brandon Glanton tonight (March 8) for the lineal and Ring Magazine cruiserweight championships, as well as the newly created Zuffa Boxing belt. Opetaia could wind up being stripped of his IBF title.
Ramirez, who has the WBA and WBO titles, is scheduled to defend both against light heavyweight titleholder David Benavidez on May 2.
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
