In one sense, the wait is finally over for Canadian cruiserweight contender Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs). His promoter, Three Lions Promotions, won today’s purse bid for a challenge against notoriously inactive WBC cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (pictured). But the question is, will Jack (20-1-1, 19 KOs) actually take the fight?  “We won the rights to promote the WBC cruiserweight world championship,” Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions said. “We look forward to hosting the Jack vs. Rozicki world title fight this April in Canada.”

 

Three Lions Promotions was the lone bidder. The 29 year-old Rozicki, who was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia and lives in Hamilton, Ontario, is a heavy-handed Canadian slugger who has knocked out 19 of the 20 different foes (he fought one opponent twice) he defeated for a 95% KO percentage.

 

Rozicki had been the mandatory challenger for then-WBC champion Noel Mikaelyan (27-2, 12 KOs), but Mikaelyan failed to make a title defense, despite the WBC ordering the fight after Mikaelyan  won the vacant title in November 2023 by stopping Ilunga Makabu in the third round. The WBC recently demoted Mikaelyan to champion in recess, swapping places with Jack himself was the WBC champion in recess. Jack got that designation after failing to defend the WBC title he captured February 26, 2023, with a stoppage of Makabu in the 12th round.

 

“It’s my time to win this title,” Rozicki commented. “I have waited long enough. It doesn’t matter where the fight takes place, I’m leaving with that belt.”