Jai Opetaia to Face Noel Mikaelian in Co‑Main Event of Garcia‑Benn Card

Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (30‑0, 23 KOs) will meet WBC champion Noel Mikaelian (28‑3, 12 KOs) on September 12 at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout serves as the co‑main event to the welterweight title fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.

Opetaia praised Mikaelian while taking a jab at mandatory challenger David Benavidez, saying he will “show the world why I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet.” Mikaelian, who reclaimed the WBC title in December, confirmed his intent to defend it, noting the fight was “the one I’ve wanted since becoming a two‑time world champion.” The WBC had ordered Benavidez to be the mandatory challenger, and Mikaelian’s decision to fight Opetaia could lead to the champion being stripped if the sanctioning body enforces its order.