TLDR
- Jai Opetaia defeated Noel Mikaelian via ninth-round TKO to retain his cruiserweight championships
- Ryan Garcia stopped Conor Benn in the second round to keep his WBC welterweight title
- Opetaia and David Benavidez agreed to fight in 2027 on Cinco de Mayo weekend
- Garcia knocked down Benn with a powerful right hand followed by a devastating combination
- Opetaia remained undefeated despite suffering injuries from an early head clash
Sources: nine.com.au | skysports.com
Australian boxing champion Jai Opetaia retained his cruiserweight titles with a ninth-round stoppage victory over Noel Mikaelian at a Zuffa Boxing card in Las Vegas on September 12, 2026. The win keeps Opetaia’s undefeated record intact and sets up a potential blockbuster fight for undisputed champion status in 2027.
Opetaia landed a right hook in the clinch that stunned Mikaelian before following up with two powerful left hooks that sent his opponent stumbling backward into the ropes. The combination counted as a technical knockdown, and the referee waved off the fight after determining Mikaelian could not continue safely.
“He’s out on his feet,” commentator Max Kellerman said on Paramount during the broadcast. Fellow commentator Joe Tessitore described Mikaelian as “badly damaged” by the Opetaia combination.
The fight was not without challenges for the Australian champion. Opetaia suffered a wound from an early head clash and was hurt in the seventh round before recovering to finish strong.
OPETAIA X BENAVIDEZ ‼️
Jai Opetaia and David Benavidez come face to face and agree to fight 🔥#GarciaBenn | Live NOW on @ParamountPlus and @DAZNBoxing 🥊 pic.twitter.com/Kumucprke1
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 13, 2026
Opetaia Secures Benavidez Fight
After the victory, Opetaia called David Benavidez into the ring for a face-to-face discussion. The two fighters agreed to meet next year on Cinco de Mayo weekend in what could become one of the biggest fights of 2027 for the undisputed cruiserweight championship.
Benavidez called Opetaia the “boogeyman” in the cruiserweight division and said he respects the Australian for pursuing the fight. The Cinco de Mayo weekend typically features major boxing events and draws large audiences.
Garcia Dominates Benn in Main Event
In the main event, Ryan Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second-round knockout of Conor Benn. Garcia dropped Benn with a thunderous right hook early in the round, then followed with a vicious combination that forced the referee to stop the fight.
“It may have been a tad early, but it’s not Ryan’s problem,” former champion Andre Ward said on commentary. Replays showed Benn had suffered serious damage and was unable to defend himself properly.
Garcia wobbled Benn in the first round with his signature left hook, setting the tone for his aggressive approach. The Mexican-American champion emptied his gas tank early with wild shots, some of which missed and left him open for counters.
Garcia made his ring walk with WWE legend Rey Mysterio in his entourage, carrying both the Mexican and USA flags. Benn received loud boos from the Las Vegas crowd, which heavily supported Garcia despite his controversial public persona.
After the victory, Garcia mentioned potential future opponents including Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, both of whom hold titles in the welterweight division. He did not mention Australian champion Liam Paro, who claimed the IBF welterweight title earlier in 2026.
The full fight card included nine bouts total, with Da’Mazion Vanhouter, Andres Cortes, Sean Garcia, Alexis Rocha, Vlad Panin, Abel Gonzalez, and Oswaldo Molina all recording victories on the undercard. The event aired on Paramount+ with commentary from Joe Tessitore, Max Kellerman, and Andre Ward.
Garcia demonstrated a new weapon in his arsenal with the powerful right hand that dropped Benn, showing he has evolved beyond his trademark left hook. The stoppage win cements Garcia as one of the most dangerous fighters in the stacked welterweight division.
