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Noel Mikaelian must fight David Benavidez or he will lose the WBC belt

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Image: Mauricion Sulaiman To Noel Mikaelian: Fight Benavidez Or Get Stripped

Mauricio Sulaiman has made clear the WBC’s position on Noel Mikaelian’s reported plans to continue his unification fight with Jai Opetaia.

The WBC president said Mikaelian must follow the sanctioning body’s order to fight David Benavidez. If he chooses Opetaia instead, he will no longer be recognized as the WBC cruiserweight champion.


“The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s all. If he fights again, he will renounce his obligations to the WBC,” Sulaiman said Boxing Scene.

The ruling creates a major setback for a fight that is widely reported to be close to being over. BoxingScene reported Friday that negotiations for a Mikaelian-Opetaia fight later this year will be completed on the Turki Alalshikh-backed Ring Magazine card.

The WBC formally ordered Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KO) to defend against Benavidez (32-0, 26 KO) after the American requested mandatory status. Sulaiman said the regulation leaves little room for alternative plans.

Benavidez recently met with Sulaiman in Mexico and expressed his desire to pursue the opportunity to unify the cruiserweight division, while Dmitry Bivol’s next move remains tied to other commitments.

While Mikaelian did not set any deadline for making commitments, Sulaiman indicated that the sanctioning body intends to move the situation forward.

“Not at this time. I will be talking to all managers. This is a top priority. I look forward to making sure this happens,” Sulaiman said.

The comments put Mikaelian in a complex situation. A fight against Opetaia would likely be seen as a better chance at unification, but continuing with those plans would cost him the WBC championship unless the sanctioning body changes course.

The WBC’s position is basic: Mikaelian’s next fight must be against Benavidez if he wants to remain champion.

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Last update: 2026/06/01 at 23:35

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.

Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.

“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”

Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.

One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.

Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.

His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.

Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown

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"Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown"

The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.

After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.

Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.

Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.