The rematch between Noel Mikaelian and Badou Jack brought their rivalry back into focus, this time on U.S. soil, after a closely contested first meeting earlier in the year. With both fighters familiar with each other’s style, the expectation was for a tactical battle.
Noel Mikaelian defeated Badou Jack by unanimous decision to regain the WBC cruiserweight title. The fight was scrappy and often difficult to watch, with constant clinching and very few clean punches landing from either man. Referee Jerry Cantu deducted a point from Mikaelian for rabbit punching and later took a point from Jack for hitting on the break. Mikaelian finished stronger, edging the later rounds as Jack slowed, which proved decisive on the scorecards. The judges scored the bout 115-111 and 116-110 twice. With the win, Mikaelian improved to 28-3, while Jack fell to 28-4-4.
Jonny Mansour earned a wide unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Juarez in a six-round lightweight bout. Mansour used his speed and movement to control the fight from start to finish, keeping Juarez at range and outworking him in every round. All three judges scored it 60-54. Mansour moved to 6-0, while Juarez dropped to 12-10-3.
Brook Sibrian picked up a majority decision win over Gloria Munguia in a light flyweight rematch. As in their first fight earlier in the year, the action was competitive and fan-friendly, with both fighters willing to trade. Sibrian was the sharper puncher over the second half of the bout, doing enough to earn scores of 97-93 and 96-94, while one judge had it close.
Robert Daniels Jr. made quick work of Tristan Hamm in a four-round cruiserweight special attraction. Daniels dropped Hamm early and ended the fight with a right uppercut in the opening round, prompting the referee to stop the contest. Daniels Jr. remained unbeaten, improving to 9-0, while Hamm fell to 0-2.
Julius Ballo recorded a six-round unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Centeno in a lightweight bout. Ballo controlled the pace throughout and scored a knockdown in the fourth round with a left hook to the body. Despite the knockdown, Centeno lasted the distance as Ballo continued to gain valuable ring experience.
Haley Jordan earned a four-round unanimous decision over Chantal Sumrall in a competitive women’s bout. Jordan pushed the action and landed the cleaner punches over four rounds to avenge her previous loss. The judges scored the fight 39-37 twice, with one card reading 40-36.
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