Noel Mikaelian

Noel “Dark Horse” Mikaelian is an Armenian-born professional boxer and two-time WBC cruiserweight world champion. Born in Yerevan and raised in Germany, Mikaelian turned professional in 2011 and developed into a leading contender in the cruiserweight division. After building an unbeaten start to his career, Mikaelian suffered his first professional defeat against Krzysztof Włodarczyk in 2017. He later competed in the World Boxing Super Series, where he lost a 12-round decision to future champion Mairis Briedis in 2018. Mikaelian rebuilt his position in the division and defeated Youri Kalenga in February 2022 before earning a shot at Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC cruiserweight championship in November 2023. Mikaelian stopped Makabu in the third round to become a world champion. After a period of inactivity and a dispute surrounding the championship, Mikaelian faced Badou Jack for the WBC title in May 2025 and suffered a majority-decision defeat. The pair met again in Los Angeles on 13 December 2025, and Mikaelian won by unanimous decision to regain the WBC cruiserweight championship. Mikaelian then faced undefeated Jai Opetaia at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 12 September 2026. Opetaia stopped Mikaelian in the ninth round, handing him his first stoppage defeat and moving Mikaelian's record to 28–4. Mikaelian's Boxing Ring News profile tracks his complete professional record, opponents, results and cruiserweight championship career.