MULTI-DIVISION titlist Badou Jack is now gearing up to square off against WBC ‘champion in recess’ Noel Mikaelian on May 3.
‘The Ripper’ was originally supposed to defend his WBC world cruiserweight title against mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki, ending his lengthy hiatus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
An injury to Rozicki, however, has meant that Mikaelian will instead look to become a two-time world champion on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull.
Jack, 28-3-3 (17 KOs), claimed his green and gold strap with a 12th-round stoppage victory over cruiserweight veteran Illunga Makabu back in February of 2023.
The former super-middleweight titlist then initiated a spell of inactivity, lasting more than two years, before announcing his comeback fight against Rozicki last month.
During that time, the 41-year-old served his stint as the WBC’s ‘champion in recess,’ a position now occupied by late replacement Mikaelian, 27-2 (12 KOs).
‘The Dark Horse,’ who has only lost to former world champions Mairis Briedis and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, secured his WBC crown with a third-round stoppage over Makabu in 2023.
His ‘champion in recess’ status emerged soon after, though, as a promotional dispute with Don King has kept him out of the ring ever since.
But now, it would appear that the 34-year-old has settled his quarrel, or at least reached some sort of agreement, with King, who had planned for Mikaelian to return on May 17.
And yet, rather than entering a straightforward comeback fight, Mikaelian will look to reclaim his old belt against Jack, the full WBC champion, in less than a months’ time.
