SYDNEY, Australia – Norair “Noel” Mikaeljan will gain revenge over Badou Jack after having had a full training camp to prepare for him, according to his new training partner Tim Tszyu.
The Armenian and Jack on Saturday again contest the WBC cruiserweight title at Ace Mission Studios in Los Angeles, seven months after Jack was awarded a majority decision over him on an evening for which Mikaeljan, a late-notice replacement opponent, was given only three weeks to prepare.
Since then Tszyu has recruited the Cuban Pedro Diaz – the 35-year-old Mikaeljan’s long-term trainer – to revive his career and spent weeks in Miami training alongside them.
He on Wednesday at the TikTok Entertainment Centre in his home city of Sydney fights Anthony Velazquez at 157lbs on the occasion of his first fight with Diaz in his corner in his attempts to rebuild.
Diaz will not arrive in Australia to join him until after the rematch between Mikaeljan and Jack, but Tszyu, whose confidence following three defeats in four fights has largely been restored by his working with Diaz alongside Mikaeljan, expects him to do so having been lifted by a high-profile win.
“When you prepare for a fight in two or three weeks, compared to an eight-week camp – one’s very structured, one’s not,” Tszyu told BoxingScene. “I think it’ll be a big difference.
“He’s good on his legs; his front hand; he seems like he’s got good power. He also knows how to conserve his energy.
“It’s just a good vibe, man. A good vibe in the gym. That’s all that matters for me.
“I think Noel wins, man. He’s put in one hell of a camp. He’s put in one hell of a camp, and he’s more than ready for this opportunity.”
The winner of Saturday’s fight between the 42-year-old Jack, of Sweden, and Mikaeljan is, according to Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters – the promoter of the IBF champion Jai Opetaia – contracted to fight Tszyu’s fellow Australian Opetaia in 2026.
