MIAMI, FL (December 9, 2022)—One of the most exciting fighters in the world, WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Junior Makabu will defend his title against the WBC Silver Champion Noel Mikaelyan on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai.

Hall of Fame promoter Don King has called the card, “Let Freedom Ring!  Clash of the Champions!”.

“These are the two best cruiserweights in the world,” said King.  “We are going to give Miami and boxing fans across the country another action-packed boxing card.  Makabu will show the world once again why he is number one and Mikaelyan is out to prove he’s the best.”

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the action will begin at 7 p.m.

Makabu (29-2, 25 KOs) will defend his title for the first time in a year.  He last fought Jan. 29 of this year in Warren, OH, winning a split decision over Thabiso Mchunu.  That victory was only his second defense of his title since Dec. 19, 2020.

Makabu won the vacant title on Jan. 31, 2020 in South Africa in scoring a unanimous decision over challenger Michael Cieslak  and defended the title 11 months later on Dec. 19^th and knocked out Olanrewaju in the 7^th round in Kinshasa.

Makabu, 35, who hails from the Republic of the Congo, has won 10 consecutive fights since his second career loss coming in the WBC World Cruiserweight Championship on May 29, 2016 when he got knocked out in the third round by Tony Bellew.  The bout was a slugfest as Makabu knocked Bellew down with a left hook in the first round.

Mikaelyan (26-2, 11 KOs), who is 32-years-old from Hamburg, Germany, became the WBC Silver Cruiserweight champion in his last fight, Feb. 12 of this year as he thoroughly dominated his opponent Youri Kayembre Kalenga in a 12-round unanimous decision. 

After losing a close decision to Mairis Briedis in Chicago on Nov. 10, 2018 for the WBC Diamond Cruiserweight championship, Mikaelyan rebounded to win the vacant WBC International Cruiserweight title in Miami on Dec. 12, 2020 as he stopped Jesse Bryan in the fourth round.

Deerfield Beach, FL (Nov. 11, 2022) – The world’s greatest boxing promoter’s stable of champions just got bigger as Hall of Famer Don King signed WBC Silver Cruiserweight Champion Noel Mikaelyan to a promotional contract.

“The fantastic WBC Silver Cruiserweight Champion, Noel Mikaelyan, believes that there is no one out there he can’t beat, said King, who also promotes the current WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Ilunga Makabu.   “Both of these two super great WBC Super Cruiserweight Champions feel they are the world’s best.   My mission has always been to give the people what they want and pit the best against the best.  What a super sensational attraction that would be if these two fighters would eventually meet.

“Mikaelyan should have won the Super Six Cruiserweight tournament.  The judges saw it differently and took his title opportunity from him after a great performance, only to be denied.  He’s ready to show them that he belongs at the top,” said King, who was honored by the WBC at their annual convention in Acapulco as “The Best Promoter in History”.

King was unable to attend the WBC Convention as he was under doctor’s care, but he still was hard at work signing Mikaelyan and state “my heart and my mind was with the WBC Board and I greatly appreciate the honor that has been bestowed upon me.”

“I’m excited to sign with the legendary Don King, a true icon and a trailblazer who has promoted some of the biggest stars in the world of boxing,” said Mikaelyan.  “I believe Don is perfectly suited to guide my career and give me the opportunities and platform to become a world champion and realize my dreams. I can’t wait to fight under the DKP banner.”

The 32-year-old German has only two blemishes in his professional career of 28 bouts.  His record stands at 26-2 with 11 KOs. 

His last fight on February 12 of this year saw him score a unanimous decision over Youri Kayembre Kalenga to win the WBC Silver Cruiserweight title.  He dominated the fight as the three judges had the fight 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111. 

Mikaelyan won the WBC International Cruiserweight title as he knocked out Jesse Bryan in the fourth round on Dec. 12, 2020.

The two losses on his record were close decisions, the last one coming Nov. 10, 2018 for the WBC Diamond Cruiserweight championship.  Mikaelyan felt he beat Mairis Briedis, but the judges saw differently scoring the fight 114-112 115-111 and 116-110 in favor of Briedis. 

His first loss came after a 21-bout winning streak came to an end on May 20, 2017 when Krzysztof Wlodarczyl won another controversial majority decision with the judges after one judge had it 115-113 for Noel and the other two judges seeing it 116-112 and 115-114 of his opponent.