Australian boxer Jai Opetaia has stopped Noel Mikaelian in their cruiserweight bout in Las Vegas, improving his professional record to 31-0. The ninth-round finish was the first stoppage defeat of Mikaelian’s 32-fight career.
Opetaia controlled much of the contest before landing a short right hook that stunned Mikaelian at T-Mobile Arena. Three further punches sent Mikaelian onto the ropes and prompted a standing count that he could not beat.
David Benavidez watched the fight from ringside and joined Opetaia in the ring after the result. The two agreed to meet in Las Vegas on May 5 next year, creating a potential high-profile matchup between the Australian and the American two-belt cruiserweight champion.
Opetaia invited Benavidez to fight and said he respected his opponent’s achievements. Benavidez responded that the pair should make the bout, saying they shared an appetite for a hard contest. Opetaia later said he was pleased that the agreement had been made publicly.
The Australian was taken to hospital for precautionary scans after the fight and had a swollen left eye following a first-round head clash. The report said Benavidez is scheduled to defend his belts in December before the proposed meeting.
The matchup could face questions over boxing’s sanctioning bodies. Opetaia had his IBF title stripped when he began working with Zuffa Boxing, and the IBF is pursuing the return of the belt. Mikaelian entered the bout with the WBC belt, but the organisation is unlikely to sanction a Zuffa event. Zuffa chief Dana White nevertheless said the fighters’ interest could make the contest compelling regardless of the belts involved.