Mikaelian Beats Jack to Reclaim WBC Cruiserweight Title After Gruelling Los Angeles Rematch

Noel Mikaelian Beats Badou Jack and Regains WBC Crown in Hard-Fought Decision

Noel Mikaelian has his hands back on the WBC cruiserweight title after a bruising and often chaotic rematch with Badou Jack in Los Angeles, producing a disciplined, determined performance to secure a unanimous points victory and settle unfinished business from their first meeting.

Just over six months after losing his belt to Jack by the narrowest of margins, Mikaelian beat Jack convincingly this time around, with all three judges siding with the German fighter. Scores of 115-111, 116-110 and 116-110 reflected Mikaelian’s greater consistency across twelve demanding rounds, even if the contest itself rarely found a smooth rhythm.

It was not a classic in the traditional sense, but it was a championship fight defined by resolve, physicality and edge — and one that ultimately belonged to the 35-year-old challenger who came in with a clear plan and the hunger of a man who felt something had been taken from him.

Redemption after heartbreak in the first fight

The backstory mattered here. When Mikaelian and Jack first met in May, the bout was tight, tense and controversial in places. Jack emerged with a narrow victory and the WBC belt, but Mikaelian left convinced that he had done enough to remain champion.

Saturday night was about removing doubt.

From the opening bell at the venue in Los Angeles, Mikaelian looked sharper and more assertive than in the first fight. He pressed forward behind a busy jab, targeted Jack’s body early and often, and worked hard to control the distance. Jack, now 42, remained composed and experienced, but he struggled at times to impose his usual rhythm against Mikaelian’s higher output.

The German was not reckless. Instead, he fought with a sense of purpose, clearly aware that leaving the result in the hands of the judges had cost him dearly before. Every round mattered, and Mikaelian boxed like a fighter who knew it.

A scrappy fight with flashes of tension

Despite the clear scores on the cards, the fight itself was far from clean. It developed into a scrappy, physical contest, particularly in the middle rounds, as both men looked to assert dominance in close quarters.

Tempers flared in the seventh round when Mikaelian was deducted a point for punching to the back of Jack’s head. It was a moment of frustration rather than malice, but it briefly threatened to swing momentum. Jack, ever the seasoned professional, tried to capitalise, pressing forward and looking for openings as Mikaelian regrouped.

The tension only escalated in the eighth. Jack was then docked a point of his own for punching after the bell, an infringement that sparked a heated exchange between the fighters. Officials and both corners were forced into the ring as Mikaelian and Jack continued to trade shots well after the round had ended.

It was an ugly moment, but also one that underlined how much was at stake.

Neither fighter wanted to give an inch. For Mikaelian, this was about reclaiming his status. For Jack, it was about proving that his previous win had been no fluke.

Mikaelian’s control tells the story

Once the chaos subsided, Mikaelian regained his composure impressively. From rounds nine through twelve, he boxed with maturity, keeping Jack at range and landing the cleaner, more consistent shots.

While Jack remained dangerous and showed flashes of his trademark toughness, his bursts were sporadic. Mikaelian, by contrast, stayed active, particularly with his jab and straight right, and did enough to convince the judges that he was dictating the pace.

The final bell was greeted with no celebration, just relief. Mikaelian knew he had done enough. When the scorecards were read, there was no controversy this time — a unanimous decision and the WBC cruiserweight title back around his waist.

Records updated, legacies evolving

The victory improves Mikaelian’s professional record to 28 wins and three defeats from 31 fights, reaffirming his place among the elite at cruiserweight. It also serves as a reminder of his resilience. Losing a world title can derail careers; regaining one, especially against the man who took it, requires belief and patience.

For Badou Jack, the defeat drops him to 29 wins, four losses and three draws from 36 bouts. At 42, questions will inevitably arise about what comes next. Jack remains one of the most respected fighters of his generation, a world champion across multiple divisions and a model professional throughout his career.

Saturday night does little to tarnish that legacy, but it does suggest that the margins are now thinner than ever.

What comes next for the WBC cruiserweight division?

With Mikaelian beating Jack and reclaiming the belt, attention now turns to what lies ahead in a competitive cruiserweight landscape. Mandatory challengers, unification possibilities and potential blockbuster matchups all loom on the horizon.

Mikaelian has spoken in the past about wanting big fights and clear recognition as the division’s leading figure. This performance strengthens his case. He did not simply win back the title — he did so with authority, composure and a clear tactical edge.

For the WBC, the result brings stability after months of debate and dispute. The champion is once again clear, and the division can move forward.

A champion restored, on his own terms

This was not a night of highlight-reel knockouts or viral moments. Instead, it was a night about professional pride, about learning from defeat and about answering questions decisively.

Noel Mikaelian arrived in Los Angeles with something to prove, and over twelve demanding rounds, he proved it. By beating Badou Jack and regaining the WBC cruiserweight title, he closed a chapter that had lingered since May — and opened a new one as champion once more.

In a sport where redemption is never guaranteed, Mikaelian earned his the hard way.