Ring Magazine and IBF World Champion congratulates Mikaeljan and urges titles to be unified
Ring Magazine and IBF world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has moved swiftly to call for a blockbuster unification bout with newly crowned WBC champion Noel Mikaeljan, following Mikaeljan’s unanimous points victory over Badou Jack today.
Mikaeljan’s win sees him become a two-time world champion, and Opetaia was quick to acknowledge the performance while making it clear that the division now needs clarity at the very top.
“First of all, congratulations to Noel Mikaeljan,” Opetaia said. “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,” Opetaia continued. “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.”
Opetaia, widely regarded as one of the most avoided fighters in the sport, has consistently called for unification bouts as he looks to cement his legacy as the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world.
His promoter, Tasman Fighters CEO Michael Francis, echoed that sentiment, saying the sport urgently needs champions willing to face each other rather than protect belts.
“Boxing needs unification fights, it’s that simple,” Francis 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.”
Francis also pointed to the continued reluctance of WBA and WBO champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez to engage in talks.
“Let’s be honest—Zurdo Ramirez wants absolutely nothing to do with Jai Opetaia,” Francis said. “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.”
Opetaia concluded by reiterating his respect for Mikaeljan while underlining his determination to unify.
“I respect Noel as a fighter and a champion,” Opetaia said. “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.”
With momentum building and titles on the line, a unification clash between Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaeljan now looms as one of the most compelling match-ups in world boxing.
