Noel Mikaeljan achieved a comeback victory in an intense close-quarters contest versus Badou Jack on Saturday evening, reclaiming the WBC cruiserweight global title in a second bout following his defeat to Jack previously this year.
This event unfolded at Ace Mission Studios in Los Angeles, headlining a Steve Bash pay-per-view program. Although the match largely lacked visual grace, its alternating moments of high tension ensured it remained engaging.
There were point penalties for both competitors in the latter half of the match; official Jerry Cantu penalized Mikaeljan (28-3, 12 KOs) in the seventh round for striking the back of the head, an offense committed despite prior cautions, and subsequently penalized Jack (29-4-3, 17 KOs) in the eighth for delivering blows after a separation.
While Jack maintained a competitive edge through the initial half of the encounter, landing counter-punches and body shots, his pace distinctly decreased starting from the seventh round, enabling Mikaeljan to narrow the gap and eventually seize control.
With Mikaeljan now a two-time cruiserweight titleholder, potentially eyeing a unification match in 2026 against Jai Opetaia, Saturday’s outcome prompts Jack to contemplate his future, including the possibility of retiring from boxing permanently at 42 years old.
“I’m not feeling splendid,” he acknowledged subsequent to the officials validating Mikaeljan’s unanimous decision victory (115-111, 116-110, 116-110). “My career has been distinguished, but we will ascertain what follows.”
Earlier during the event, Jonny Mansour (6-0, 2 KOs) displayed competent boxing skills to outscore Marco Rodriguez (12-10-3, 5 KOs). Simultaneously, Mansour’s relative, Julius “JuJu” Ballo (2-0, 0 KOs), appeared impressive by outmaneuvering Juan Centeno (10-26-4, 2 KOs), securing his own points victory in the initial segments of the lineup.
In parallel, a highlight bout of the evening featured light flyweights Brook Sibrian (9-2, 4 KOs) and Gloria Munguilla (8-3, 0 KOs) clashing, wherein Sibrian attained retribution in their second encounter through a hard-fought decision triumph.
Review the comprehensive Jack versus Mikaeljan II outcomes and notable moments underneath, alongside Uncrowned’s round-by-round account of the primary event lineup.
Match Schedule
WBC cruiserweight title bout: Noel Mikaeljan prevailed over Badou Jack through a unanimous judges’ decision (115-111, 116-110, 116-110)
Lightweight division: Jonny Mansour defeated Marco Antonio Juarez Rodriguez by unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
Light heavyweight division: Robert Daniels Jr. secured a victory against Tristan Hamm by first-round TKO | View the concluding moment
Light flyweight division: Brook Sibrian overcame Gloria Munguilla through a majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 97-93)
Bantamweight division: Hayley Jordan triumphed over Chantal Sumrall by unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 39-37)
Lightweight division: Julius Ballo was victorious against Juan Centeno via unanimous decision (60-53, 60-53, 60-53)
Super lightweight division: Sasha Saldana bested Vana Medrano Yanez through unanimous decision (40-35, 40-35, 39-36)
Super lightweight division: Adrien Boler conquered Benji Gomez by unanimous decision (40-32, 40-32, 39-33)
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Alan Dawson
When questioned about the prospect of a third match to conclude the series with Noel Mikaelian, Badou Jack responded: “I am not feeling splendid. We shall observe. My career has been distinguished, but we will ascertain what follows.”
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Alan Dawson
And the officiating panel concurred universally — it is a unanimous verdict in favor of Noel Mikaelian! Completely merited. He secures it with tallies of 115-111, 116-110, 116-110.
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Alan Dawson
Among all the confrontations witnessed, the Jack-Mikaelian return match was far from the most visually graceful, yet it certainly delivered significant tension. Both combatants received point penalties. There was post-round commotion. An exchanging, close-quarters engagement ensued, but ultimately, our unofficial tally indicates a definitive victor, and that ought to be Noel Mikaelian by three points. Our assessment yielded 115-112. A peculiar contest.
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Alan Dawson
Ah, that delightful, delightful post-signal turmoil…
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Alan Dawson
Mikaelian connected with a forceful right punch on Jack at the commencement of the eleventh round. He also appears considerably more vigorous as the rounds diminish. Naturally, in their initial meeting, the judges credited Jack with superior performance during the championship rounds. However, the current situation presents a contrast.
Round 11: 105-103
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Alan Dawson
What is most amusing about this confrontation is that it marks the referee’s concluding duty, and he is compelled to exert more effort than probably any previous bout he has overseen. Mikaelian, in the tenth round, is compelling Jack into a defensive posture. The dynamic of this encounter consistently shifts at critical junctures, and should Mikaelian secure just one of the final two rounds, he clinches the victory.
Round 10: 95-94 — Mikaelian
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Alan Dawson
Mikaelian initiates the ninth round strongly, delivering uppercuts to Jack’s torso. Following this, he employs one-two combinations, with the second strike being an uppercut. Mikaelian’s tactic is unequivocally to assault the opponent’s core. He persistently aims for it. Jack is now considerably more cautious. He no longer dictates the center of the canvas.
Round 9: 85-85
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Alan Dawson
The neutral arbiter in the ring has been the most active official of the evening thus far, once more disengaging the fighters in the eighth round, appearing reluctant to permit grappling during clinches. Mikaelian delivered low blows during close-range exchanges prior to the official’s intervention. Subsequently, Badou Jack incurs a point deduction! AND NOW THERE’S A COMMOTION! INDEED! THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF WHY WE OBSERVE THESE CONTESTS, SPECTATORS! UTTER DISARRAY! Authorities flood the canvas to restore calm! The audience is standing, as am I!
Round 8: 76-75 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
The official once more admonished Mikaelian for striking the back of the head, and upon the resumption of the match, Jack assaulted him with powerful blows. Mikaelian retaliated with his own robust, singular strikes. They again became entangled. The official disengaged them, and then imposed a point penalty! That is significant! If the scorecards were tighter than Uncrowned’s, Mikaelian has just been penalized!
Round 7: 68-65 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
A close-quarters struggle commenced in the sixth round, with both individuals delivering blows from the nearest possible distance they could manage. The deciding factor might hinge on whether the judges preferred sheer force (Jack) or consistent action (Mikaelian) within these engagements.
Round 6: 58-57 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
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Alan Dawson
Mikaelian maneuvered along the outer edges of the canvas, ceding the central area to Jack. Jack landed one-two combinations on him. Mikaelian once more struck the back of his head. Mikaelian aimed to wear down Jack’s more experienced physique by directing strikes to his lower body, endeavoring to exhaust any vitality required to compete with a younger opponent. Mikaelian delivered a well-placed blow near the conclusion of the round.
Round 5: 48-47 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
Jack exhibited swift counter-attacks and delivered potent jabs in the fourth round. He precisely landed a close-range right hand, a straight right, and dual-shot combinations. The official cautioned Mikaelian for rabbit punching, and admonished Jack as he returned to his corner, for striking Mikaelian post-bell.
Round 4: 39-37 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
Badou Jack commences the third round with a dual jab, and Mikaelian counters with a four-fold jab. He then promptly follows this with the four-fold jab, augmenting it with a powerful body blow for extra effect. Jack delivers strikes with intensity, but Mikaelian evades the attack. Jack injures him! Mikaelian regains composure. Jack lands a significant right hand as a counter! Jack is now ahead on Uncrowned’s unofficial score. Mikaelian concludes with a strong one-two combination.
Round 3: 29-28 — Jack
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Alan Dawson
Mikaelian executes feints skillfully, maintaining the impetus he established from the first round. Jack connects with a substantial left hook to Mikaelian’s face — his most effective strike of the bout to that point. Badou repeatedly targeted the body. Oh! And emotions ran high at the conclusion! A touch of intensity to round off the second!
Round 2: 19-19
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Alan Dawson
Round thirteen out of twenty-four! Let’s commence! In a return match following Badou Jack’s earlier victory by majority decision against Noel Mikaelian this year, both contenders began cautiously despite their extensive familiarity with each other’s fighting styles. Mikaelian unsettled Jack with a jab in the initial minute. Jack possesses a commendable jab that he directed at Mikaelian’s body — an action he executed at least twice in various portions of the first round. Mikaelian followed with another effective right hand.
Round 1: 10-9 — Mikaelian
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Badou Jack makes his entrance to the arena accompanied by DMX, evoking the persona of Mike Tyson. It also brings to mind the classic Fight Night video game. This marginally surpasses Noel Mikaelian’s choice, despite his selection of AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” as his entry music.
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Alan Dawson
Merely one contest remains, and it is the premier showdown of the evening! We are about to witness Badou Jack versus Noel Mikaelian, with the WBC cruiserweight global championship at stake. Given David Benavidez’s impending battle with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on Cinco de Mayo in 2026, the cruiserweight category is growing more competitive. Therefore, what are the implications for the victor? Will we see Jack or Mikaelian compete against Jai Opetaia? Before we can even delve into prospective pairings, we anticipate the ring entrances for these two 200-pound athletes, at this very moment.
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Alan Dawson
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Alan Dawson
Each of the three officials awarded the contest 60-54 unanimously to the victor… Jonny Mansour!
