Nasty legal case hangs over Aussie boxing champ’s title fight
Australia’s cruiserweight boxing world champion Jai Opetaia will defend his titles despite a nasty legal case hanging over his head.
The 31-year-old Gold Coast native will take on two-time world champion Noel Mikaelian to co-headline a card in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 13 (AEST).
Jai Opetaia showing off his belts. nna\liam.oloughlin
They will be the warm-up act for Ryan Garcia taking on Conor Benn, with the event streamed on Paramount+ in Australia.
Opetaia is unbeaten in 30 professional fights and is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, having stunned Mairis Briedis in July 2022 to win the IBF cruiserweight belt in front of a home crowd on Queensland’s glitter strip.
He successfully defended the strap seven times since, and also added The Ring and Zuffa Boxing titles to his cabinet.
But the IBF controversially stripped him of its silverware when he made his Zuffa debut in March, beating Brandon Glanton to become the Saudi-backed breakaway league’s inaugural champion.
Last month, Opetaia filed legal proceedings against the IBF in a Nevada court.
With that case still pending, Opetaia will lace up the gloves to face Germany’s WBC champion Mikaelian in Sin City.
”This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet,” Opetaia said on Wednesday.
“Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I’m talking about you — continue to run and hide.”
Benavidez is the Mexican-American cruiserweight star who currently holds the division’s WBO strap.
Intriguingly, Mikaelian holds the division’s WBC strap but the WBC ordered him to fight Benavidez in May. The WBC on Wednesday made no mention of the Opetaia fight, suggesting the belt will not be on the table for the Aussie to win in September.
Boxing’s other major organisations have so far refused to recognise Zuffa - the controversial league headed by UFC boss Dana White - as legitimate.
Opetaia’s 2022 win over Mairis Briedis was one of Australia’s biggest boxing moments. nna\sbrunsdon
Opetaia has previously spoken of his desire to hold all the cruiserweight belts and unify the division.
Mikaelian seems to think his WBC belt will be up for grabs.
“When I step into the ring against Jai Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world championship. This is the fight I’ve wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I’m ready to deliver,” Mikaelian said.
“I haven’t fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their titles, and that’s exactly what I’m prepared to do.”
Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis also took a shot at the likes of Benavidez on Wednesday.
“This is a massive fight for Jai, and it’s refreshing to see a top-tier cruiserweight step forward when so many continue to avoid the challenge,” Francis said.
“He’s proud to defend the Zuffa Boxing and Ring titles on the biggest stage.”
