Noel Mikaelian Calls Opetaia Fear Factor Marketing

Noel Mikaelian rejects the promotional narrative portraying Jai Opetaia as a cruiserweight terror whom other fighters refuse to face. Before their September 12 fight in Las Vegas, Mikaelian argued that money and business decisions explain why leading opponents have not shared a ring with the Australian.

The WBC cruiserweight champion Mikaelian said that Opetaia’s supposed fear factor has been exaggerated to strengthen his image.

“I think that’s also a big marketing point that you’re mentioning there, that nobody wants to fight him. I see a lot of fighters challenging him and other fighters. I think that’s just marketing to say, ‘Nobody wants to fight this guy.’ This is prizefighting, and everybody wants to fight anyone for the biggest prize,” Mikaelian said to Fight Hub TV.

That choice supports his case. The WBC ordered him to defend against David Benavidez in May, yet he accepted an immediate fight with Opetaia rather than wait for that event to be finalized. His title status remains uncertain, but taking this bout is hardly the behavior of someone intimidated by Opetaia’s reputation.

Calling a boxer “avoided” is one of the sport’s oldest promotional devices. It elevates the favored fighter without requiring victories over every available contender. Television platforms, purses, and promotional control often prevent major fights long before fear becomes relevant.

Facing Opetaia does not make the assignment safe. The 35-year-old identified the Australian’s southpaw stance as his chief concern, along with his speed, footwork, and powerful left hand.

Their lead-foot battle will shape the exchanges. Mikaelian must place his left foot outside Opetaia’s right to move away from the straight left and create a lane for his own right hand. Losing that position would leave him following Opetaia and absorbing combinations during his rapid entries.

Crowding Opetaia, tying him up, and forcing him to restart can reduce that speed. The approach may produce an awkward fight, but allowing him to operate freely at midrange would validate the warnings surrounding this matchup.

The champion considers himself Opetaia’s equal and describes them as the two best cruiserweights. He is treating his opponent as a talented southpaw whose aura has grown larger than his record. September 12 will reveal how much of that aura came from marketing and how much was earned in the ring.

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