Mauricio Sulaiman has clarified the WBC’s position on Noel Mikaelian’s reported plans to pursue a unification fight against Jai Opetaia.
The WBC president said Mikaelian must comply with the sanctioning body’s order to fight David Benavidez. If he chooses Opetaia instead, he will no longer be recognized as WBC cruiserweight champion.
“The WBC order is Michaelian against Benavidez. That’s it. If he takes another fight, he gives up his obligations with the WBC,” Sulaiman said goat scene.
The ruling creates a major hurdle for a fight that was widely reported to be close to completion. BoxingScene reported Friday that negotiations are being finalized for a Mikaelian-Opetaia bout later this year on a Ring Magazine card backed by Turki Alalshikh.
The WBC formally ordered Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) to defend against Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) after the American requested mandatory status. Sulaiman said the order left little room for alternative plans.
Benavidez recently met with Sulaiman in Mexico and expressed his desire to pursue cruiserweight division opportunities, while Dmitri Bivol’s next move remains tied to other commitments.
Although no deadline has been set for Mikaelian to commit, Sulaiman has indicated that the sanctions body intends to push the situation forward.
“Not at this time. I’ll talk to all the different managers. It’s a top priority. I’m really looking forward to making sure it happens,” Sulaiman said.
The comments put Mikaelian in a difficult position. A fight with Opetaia would likely be seen as the bigger unification opportunity, but going ahead with those plans would cost him the WBC championship unless the sanctioning body changes course.
The WBC’s position is straightforward: Mikaelian’s next fight must be against Benavidez if he wants to remain champion.
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Last updated on 2026/06/01 at 23:35
