Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian Make Weight Before Final Face-Off as WBC Title Situation Remains Unclear

Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian have officially made weight ahead of their cruiserweight showdown, before coming together for their final face-off.

Opetaia came in at 199 pounds, while Mikaelian weighed 200 pounds, putting both fighters inside the cruiserweight limit and clearing the final hurdle before fight night.

The two men then faced each other one last time, with the tension of the upcoming contest evident as the final promotional duties came to an end.

However, the WBC title remains a major talking point surrounding the matchup.

The WBC belt was still being displayed during the weigh-in and face-off, despite Don King stating that the organization would not sanction the fight. That has left uncertainty over the official status of the championship heading into the bout.

The situation is particularly significant because the WBC title would add major championship implications to an already important cruiserweight contest. Until the sanctioning issue is clarified, the presence of the belt does not necessarily confirm that it will officially be contested.

For Opetaia, the matchup provides another opportunity to continue his run at the highest level of the cruiserweight division. The Australian has built a strong reputation in the weight class and will now turn his attention toward Mikaelian once the action begins.

Mikaelian will have his own ambitions when he enters the ring. At 200 pounds, he successfully made the required weight and can now focus entirely on the challenge in front of him.

The final face-off also brings an end to the public build-up between the two fighters. Both have now stepped on the scales, completed their final staredown and are ready for the next stage.

While the fighters’ weights are settled, the question surrounding the WBC title remains. Don King’s position that the organization will not sanction the fight has created an unusual situation, particularly with the championship belt still being shown at the event.

That uncertainty will remain an important part of the story until the official championship status is made clear.

For now, the preparations are complete. Opetaia weighed 199 pounds, Mikaelian 200, and the final face-off is in the books. The focus can now shift to the ring, where the two cruiserweights will finally settle their contest.