Noel Mikaelian views his September 12 fight against Jai Opetaia as a meeting between cruiserweights’ two genuine champions. One half of that statement is easy to accept. The other still needs to be proven.
Opetaia has proven himself as the division’s leading fighter through two victories over Mairis Briedis and his subsequent run at the top. Mikaelian owns the WBC title, but possessing a belt doesn’t necessarily prove he is the second-best cruiserweight.
“Jai is the legitimate IBF champion, and I’m the legitimate WBC champion. So it’s the two real cruiserweight champions colliding,” Mikaelian said to The Ring.
Opetaia no longer holds the IBF title, but Mikaelian’s larger argument is clear. He sees himself alongside the Australian at the top of the division rather than among the fighters trying to establish themselves beneath him. That hierarchy hasn’t been settled.
David Benavidez has inserted himself into the discussion after moving up in weight to win the WBA and WBO titles, but his position relative to the other leading cruiserweights remains uncertain. The same applies to Mikaelian. His WBC championship gives him credibility, but it doesn’t establish him as Opetaia’s closest rival.
Mikaelian believes his history with Briedis strengthens his case. When Opetaia’s accomplishments against the former champion were mentioned during the interview, he quickly brought up their 2018 fight.
“I beat Briedis too though,” Mikaelian said.
Mikaelian officially lost that fight by unanimous decision, although he has long maintained that he deserved the win.
September 12 gives him something far more useful than arguing about an eight-year-old verdict. If Mikaelian beats Opetaia, he won’t need a belt or the Briedis fight to support his case.
Opetaia has already proven where he belongs at cruiserweight, but Mikaelian still has to do it.
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Last Updated on 2026/08/10 at 7:10 PM
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