Ryan Rozicki continues his run of bad luck as it relates to his quest for a major title.<\/p>\n
BoxingScene has confirmed that the top-rated cruiserweight contender was forced to bow out of his May 3 challenge of Badou Jack\u2019s WBC title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), suffered a torn biceps during a training session and will be out of the ring for the next several months. <\/p>\n
“It is what it is,\u201d Rozicki lamented to BoxingScene. \u201cThe doctors called it a freak accident\u2014my biceps tore, and now I’m sidelined for a few months.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bout was due to take place on the Riyadh Season show headlined by the Saul \u2018Canelo\u2019 Alvarez-William Scull undisputed super middleweight championship. Jack, 28-3-3 (17 KOs), is now in need of a new challenger for the first defense as the reinstated WBC cruiserweight titlist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bout was officially put into play last December, when the WBC restored Jack\u2019s title reign after previously claiming the three-division titlist as its \u2018Champion in Recess.\u2019<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s Rozicki was already the mandatory challenger in waiting, at which point the WBC ordered a negotiation period. The two sides were unable to reach a deal, which sent the matter to a purse bid which was won by Three Lions Promotions, Rozicki\u2019s promoter.<\/p>\n
Original plans called for the fight to take place later this month in Rozicki\u2019s hometown of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. That dynamic changed when Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia\u2019s General Entertainment Authority and head of Riyadh Season, decided to pick up the tab. Alalshikh added $100,000 to the total pot to bring the fight to Riyadh.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We are absolutely gutted,\u201d Three Lions Promotions\u2019 Daniel Otter told BoxingScene. \u201cRozicki has never looked better\u2014he came prepared to win, and that title was meant to return home to Canada. That said, he\u2019s in great spirits, and we know the comeback will be even stronger. He will be the WBC world champion\u2014it\u2019s only a matter of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did win the rights to the fight at purse bid, and we\u2019re actively working to facilitate another opportunity. This is far from over.”<\/p>\n
The move now only benefits Jack, who will remain on the show\u2014assuming a new opponent can be secured in time.<\/p>\n
One volunteer emerged in the previous title claimant\u2014Noel Mikaelyan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Interestingly (and perhaps not at all coincidental), Hall of Fame promoter Don King announced that Mikaelyan, 27-2 (12 KOs) was due to return to the ring on May 17, his first fight since November 2023 when he knocked out Ilunga \u2018Junior\u2019 Makabu to win the WBC cruiserweight title.<\/p>\n
Mikaelyan and King were previously embroiled in a legal battle, which forced the boxer to relinquish the belt. He essentially traded places with Jack and is the current \u2018Champion in Recess.\u2019<\/p>\n
King\u2019s May 17 show does not yet have a location. He is prepared to decimate its main event in order to deliver a title opportunity for his charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just heard the news and our champion in recess, Noel Mikaelian is ready, willing and able to step in for Rozicki and fight Jack for the title.,\u201d said King. \u201cWe are in the process of negotiating a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Rozicki can only hope to find his way back into the mix once fully healed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake no mistake, I\u2019ll be back,\u201d vowed the 30-year-old knockout artist. \u201cI want that belt, and I\u2019m coming for it.”<\/p>\n
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n