The WBC has officially ordered cruiserweight champion Badou Jack to run back his narrow majority decision victory over former titlist Noel Mikaelian, giving the pair until July 1st to come to terms and avoid a purse bid.
Their letter also confirmed Jean Pascal’s upcoming interim title bout against Michal Cieslak, with the winner expected to then face Yamil Peralta while Ryan Rozicki is on the mend.
Jack (29-3-3, 17 KO) ended a two-year layoff against Mikaelian (27-3, 12 KO), who himself stepped up on three weeks’ notice after nearly 18 months on the sidelines. Mikaelian appeared to edge out a high-volume affair, but Jack ultimately took home a pair of 115-113s alongside the 114-114.
I had it 115-113 for Mikaelian, but I wouldn’t call it a robbery; there was a lot of chippy action and it really boiled down to whether you preferred Mikaelian’s quick flurries or Jack’s solid inside work. Not really the stuff of “immediate rematch,” especially considering what an absolute trainwreck the WBC has turned this division into, but apparently Don King is still very persuasive.
I guess it technically doesn’t delay potential unification, either, as that can’t proceed until Zurdo fights Yuniel Dorticos later this month.
