Opetaia rocks Mikaelian by 9th-round TKO, faces off with Benavidez
This Article has been curated by UDBN
By Brett Okamoto
September 12, 2026
Source: ESPN
Image/Photo Source: UBN
LAS VEGAS -- Jai Opetaia solidified himself as one of the best cruiserweights in boxing Saturday and just might have set up a future contest with WBA champion David Benavidez in the process.
Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) defeated WBC champion Noel Mikaelian (28-4, 12 KOs) by TKO at 1:30 of the ninth round, when referee Harvey Dock ruled Mikaelian unable to continue after a series of punches on the ropes.
After the result, Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs), who was in attendance, entered the ring inside T-Mobile Arena and suggested a title unification bout in May.
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