Jai Opetaia has defended his The Ring magazine cruserweight championship and Zuffa Boxing title in brutal fashion, handing Noel Mikaelian the first TKO of his career.
Having steadily gained the upper hand throughout the fight, the Australian rocked the wily veteran with a brutal onslaught in the ninth round.
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Unexpectedly, it was a right hook from the southpaw from close range that did the damage, with the 35-year old stunned before the southpaw’s trademark left hook sent up against the ropes, before the referee called a halt.
The victory extends Opetaia’s undefeated streak to 31 fights, with the TKO his 24th.
“Australia, Samoa represent! We’re doing it man,” Opetaia said.
“Noel, tough as nails. I knew he was going to be experienced, I knew he was a good fighter.
“Who’s next?”
Opetaia has long had his sights on a blockbuster fight with WBA and WBO cruserweight title holder David Benavidez, even accusing him of “making all these demands” in the lead-in to his Mikaelian fight.
But with Benavidez on hand to witness the win, the undefeated Australian knew what he had to do.
“Let’s get it on,” Opetaia said, calling Benavidez into the ring.
“Next year – let’s do it, Cinco de Mayo next year!” the American offered.
“Done,” Opetaia answered.
“Let’s do it!”
Opetaia calls Benavidez to the ring | 00:58
As the name suggests, Cinco de Mayo falls on the fifth of May each year, marking the Mexican army’s win over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
When asked about the looming fight, Benavidez described Opetaia as “the Boogeyman of the division”.
“But I’m the person they call when it’s time to kill the Boogeyman,” he added.
Despite a swollen left eye from a pair of first-round head clashes, Opetaia steadily took control of the fight, with Mikaelian steering well clear of the southpaw’s devastating left hand.
A heavy hit in the seventh round was the Armenian’s best moment, with Opetaia left unsteady and needing to hold on to avoid further punishment.
But come the ninth, and facing a rare fight going the distance, the Australian found a way through the veteran’s defences.
With Mikaelian holding onto Opetaia’s right arm, he was left brutally exposed.
“He is damaged!” commentator Joe Tessitore said on Paramount+.
“He does not look good – it’s over!
After watching replays, he added: “Oh man, look at his eyes!”
Co-caller Andre Ward praised Mikaelian for being able to remain on his feet.
“That’s the kind of stuff that can change a career right there,” Ward said.
“I don’t know how Mikaelien stood up.”
Speaking post-fight, Opetaia admitted his rival had given him a scare.
“He clipped me,” the 31-year old said.
“I’m used to getting clipped – those little shots get through.
“But I’m still here. I’m still undefeated.”