Zuffa Boxing confirmed Tuesday that Jai Opetaia will face WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian in the co-main event of Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn on September 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ring Magazine also announced the matchup, ending weeks of speculation surrounding Opetaia’s next opponent.
The announcement immediately turns attention to the sanctioning body’s next move.
Earlier this year, the WBC ordered Mikaelian to make a mandatory defense against David Benavidez after its Board of Governors approved the light heavyweight champion’s petition for a title opportunity at cruiserweight. The o
