Opetaia’s Position at Cruiserweight
Jai Opetaia enters any unification discussion as the division’s most proven active champion. The unbeaten IBF titleholder twice defeated Mairis Briedis and has since moved through opponents with increasing authority, combining pace, pressure, and finishing ability that few cruiserweights can match.
His recent decision to align with Zuffa Boxing adds complexity, but not uncertainty, to his championship standing. Opetaia remains an established belt holder with leverage earned in the ring rather than through promotional positioning.
Mikaelian and the WBC Title
Noel Mikaelian holds the WBC cruiserweight title and has already shared the stage with Opetaia, facing him at Zuffa’s inaugural boxing event. That public face-off suggested early alignment between competitive ambition and promotional intent.
From the WBC’s perspective, the matchup is clean. Two champions. One division. No artificial barriers.
The WBC’s Stance
Sulaiman was explicit in outlining the organisation’s position.
“If they plan on doing that unification, we’re supportive,” said Sulaiman to Sky Sports.
That sentence is the WBC’s bottom line. The organisation will sanction the bout if it follows established rules. If Zuffa chooses to operate independently with its own titles, the WBC will continue along its existing path without interference or escalation.
Sulaiman framed the issue less as a power struggle and more as a reality check for boxing’s ecosystem. Sanctioning bodies can facilitate major fights. They do not need to control every business model to remain relevant.
The Pressure Point
A unification between Opetaia and Mikaelian would do more than produce a single champion. It would test how flexible boxing’s institutions are when a fighter with real leverage steps slightly outside the usual lanes.
The WBC, at least publicly, has chosen cooperation over confrontation. Whether promoters follow the same logic will decide how quickly this fight moves from conversation to contract.
