Jai Opetaia broke down and stopped a game and capable Noel Mikaelian, possibly — and hopefully — setting up a future clash with David Benavidez.
Opetaia (31-0, 24 KO) scored what was really one of the best wins of his career over Mikaelian (28-4, 12 KO), a two-time cruiserweight titleholder who had never been stopped.
Mikaelian gave a strong accounting of himself in what was really a good and entertaining fight, but Opetaia was just better, and the power difference made the difference in the end.
“Noel was tough as nails,” Opetaia said. “I knew it was going to be a good experience, I knew he was a good fighter. It was good to share the ring with him. Who’s next?”
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Opetaia did get hurt in the fight, and wasn’t shy about saying so, as he continued to give Mikaelian credit for a good, hard fight.
“He clipped me,” Opetaia admitted. “I’m used to getting clipped, those little shots get through, but I’m still here. I’m still undefeated.”
Opetaia’s win gives him the WBA’s secondary cruiserweight title, and he also retains the Zuffa cruiserweight title, if that’s still a thing, it’s kind of hard to tell. He does not win the WBC cruiserweight title that Mikaelian has held, because it wasn’t on the line for this fight, as the bout went on despite a cease-and-desist from Don King Productions.
