Quick Read
- Noel Mikaelian defeated Badou Jack by unanimous decision to reclaim the WBC cruiserweight title in Los Angeles.
- Both fighters were docked points for fouls during a heated, scrappy bout.
- Jack, 42, hinted at retirement after the loss, reflecting on his long career.
- Mikaelian now positions himself for potential title unification bouts in 2026.
- Jack has expressed openness to future high-profile fights, including with Jake Paul, if the opportunity arises.
Noel Mikaelian Dethrones Badou Jack in Brutal Rematch
At 42, Badou Jack stood as a testament to longevity in boxing, holding the WBC cruiserweight belt and the respect of a generation. But on a tense December night at Ace Mission Studios in Los Angeles, that run met a decisive end. Noel Mikaelian, hungry for redemption after a controversial loss seven months earlier, outboxed and outmuscled Jack over twelve foul-marred rounds, reclaiming the WBC title and flipping the narrative of their rivalry.
The judges’ scores—116-110, 116-110, and 115-111—all favored Mikaelian, reflecting the control he established as the fight wore on. While the action inside the ring often descended into chaos—both fighters losing points for rabbit punches and wild exchanges after the bell—it was Mikaelian’s composure and sharper combinations that ultimately made the difference. Ring Magazine and BBC Sport both reported on the fight’s unruly tone, with the eighth round nearly spiraling out of control as officials and corners rushed in to separate the still-swinging combatants.
Foul-Filled Fight, Frayed Tempers
From the opening bell, Mikaelian asserted his jab, dictating the pace and forcing Jack onto the back foot. The second round’s post-bell brawl was the first real signal that this wouldn’t be a clean contest, but rather a test of resolve and discipline. As the rounds ticked by, both fighters resorted to roughhouse tactics—holding, hitting after the bell, and rabbit punching—culminating in each being docked a point in the heat of the action.
Jack, for his part, showed flashes of the power and grit that made him a two-division world champion, stunning Mikaelian with hard right hands in the third and seventh rounds. Yet Mikaelian’s response was measured: combinations, body work, and a willingness to absorb punishment when necessary. By the championship rounds, Jack appeared fatigued, relying on clinches and short bursts, while Mikaelian pressed forward, sweeping the final frames on all three judges’ cards.
The Backstory: A Rivalry Fueled by Controversy
This rematch was more than just another title fight—it was the resolution of unfinished business. Their first meeting in May had ended in a narrow majority decision for Jack, despite Mikaelian outlanding him and throwing hundreds more punches. Mikaelian immediately appealed, and the WBC granted a rematch following a substantial purse bid. For Mikaelian, this was about setting the record straight. “We corrected the last decision and got my hand raised tonight,” he told Ring Magazine. “This time it was a fair judgment. Respect to Badou Jack, at his age especially.”
Jack, now the sport’s second-oldest champion, was candid in defeat: “It’s not easy to perform at this age. I don’t feel that great. I had a great career, and we’ll see what happens.” His words felt less like a concession and more like a curtain call, his future in the ring suddenly uncertain.
What Lies Ahead for Badou Jack?
Jack’s legacy is secure—world champion at super middleweight and light heavyweight, now a veteran who stretched his prime into his forties. He’s not shy about the business side of boxing, either. In a recent interview with Ring Magazine, Jack discussed the possibility of a high-profile showdown with Jake Paul, a fight he called “easy money” but acknowledged as good for the sport due to Paul’s ability to generate spectacle. Yet, that train may have passed, at least for now, with Paul pursuing other high-profile bouts and Jack forced to reckon with the physical realities of age and a bruising defeat.
For Mikaelian, the victory opens doors to unification bouts with the likes of Jai Opetaia, the IBF and The Ring champion, or the winner of the WBA/WBO title clash between Gilberto Ramirez and David Benavidez. The division, once dominated by Jack’s experience, now feels wide open—Mikaelian’s statement win setting the stage for a new era among cruiserweights.
As for Jack, the question lingers: does he walk away after a storied run, or is there one last big fight left in him? The boxing world will watch closely, but if Saturday’s punishing battle proved anything, it’s that time waits for no champion.
Badou Jack’s defeat to Noel Mikaelian was more than a title change—it was a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of boxing and the inevitable march of time. While Jack’s resilience and past achievements are beyond dispute, this fight highlighted both the physical toll of a long career and the shifting balance of power in the cruiserweight division. Whatever Jack decides next, his legacy is already written—but the division he helped shape is clearly moving on.