Boxing

'Why would I?' - Benavidez rival irked by stripped title talk

DAZN

20, Aug

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Noel Mikaelian has lashed out over the idea he will be stripped of his WBC cruiserweight title for not facing David Benavidez.

The star is set to face Jai Opetaia on September 12, as part of the Ryan Garcia-Conor Benn undercard at the T-Mobile Arena.

But Mikaelian could find himself without a crown to defend in Las Vegas after failing to agree terms with mandatory Benavidez.

Now, the star has aired his frustration over the saga, and insists he will still be happy to face the latter befoe the end of the year.

"Every day, there's something new," he told The Ring. "I don't understand. Why would I get stripped? I had a voluntary defence.

"They gave me a voluntary defence. It didn't happen until now, not because of my power, but because of outside circumstances.

“We can still make Benavidez happen. The winner can fight Benavidez in December or in January. The fight is not off the table.”

Mikaelian has previously claimed that talks went silent with 'The Mexican Monster' after his victory over Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez.

Opetaia was meanwhile stripped of the IBF belt earlier this year following his move to Zuffa Boxing, and is eyeing a career rebuild.

His still-vacant former strap is expected to be contested by former rival David Nyika and Viddal Riley in a contest later this year.

Is Mikaelian playing mind games?

Noel Mikaelian has had a busy few weeks debating the merits of his next move - and now, it could come to cost him his major belt.

Or will it? It's difficult to say whether the star is stoking a few additional fires ahead of what promises to be a very difficult encounter.

To plenty of pundits, Jai Opetaia is the best cruiserweight on the planet right now, even with David Benavidez vaulting up a class.

Mikaelian's struggles for activity means he arrives as an overwhelming outsider to defend his belt - if it is indeed on the line at all.

So could this all be a bit of a psychological gamble? Time will tell over the next few weeks. Either way, the answers will be fascinating.

Watch Moses Itauma take the next step in his unstoppable career against Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, only on DAZN.

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