THE WBC wrote: In February of 2023 Badou Jack conquered the WBC cruiserweight championship by defeating then-champion Ilunga Makabu. Soon thereafter, Jack petitioned the WBC to place him as champion in recess so he could try to schedule a fight for the WBC bridgerweight title, but his attempts were unsuccessful. He is now looking to return to the cruiserweight division. In the meantime, Noel Mikaelian won the vacant WBC cruiserweight title, knocking out Makabu. The WBC ordered Mikaelian to make his first mandatory defense against WBC #1 contender Ryan Rozicki of Canada who had won a final elimination bout via knockout of Olanrewaju Durodola. Mikaelian's promoter, Don King Promotions, contracted the Mikaelian vs. Rozicki fight to take place in Miami on June 7, 2024. Unfortunately, Mikaelian sustained a sparring injury just ten days before that fight. DKP rescheduled the fight for September 28th also in Miami, again unfortunately, Don King experienced health issues severed enough not to be able to promote the event.
After thoroughly evaluating all the facts and having engaged in numerous communications with both camps, the WBC ordered a purse bid for the Mikaelian vs Rozicki bout. 3 Lion Promotions attended the bid, but [according to the WBC] the bid did not have to take place as both camps informed the WBC that they had reached an agreement. The fight was then scheduled for December 7th in Canada. 3Lions Promotions produced bout contracts, contracted for the arena, arranged for broadcast production, and incurred other substantial expenses. After all that effort, now it turns out that Mikaelian is unavailable to participate in the fight against Rozicki due to an ongoing legal dispute with his promoter Don King Productions.
The WBC Board of Governors has voted unanimously to support the petition from 3 Lion Promotions to approve an interim championship between Rozicki and WBC #2 contender Yamil Peralta from Argentina. That bout is a rematch of their highly controversial fight back in 2022. The Rozicki vs. Peralta fight for the WBC interim cruiserweight title will take place on December 7th in Canada. The WBC Board of Governors will review the complete situation all weight categories during the upcoming annual convention in Hamburg. Germany from December 8th-14th.
