Noel Mikaelian claimed the vacant WBC cruiserweight title, as he stopped former belt-holder Ilunga Makabu in the third round of their meeting in Miami.
Makabu won the vacant WBC crown in 2020, and made two defences before being stopped by Badou Jack in the final round in Saudi Arabia in February. Armenian Mikaelian had only lost in good company, dropping decisions to Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Mairis Briedis, and was stepping up to world title level for the first time.
Mikaelian (27-2, 12KOs) took advantage of a poor Makabu (29-4, 25KOs) here, dropping the Congolese with a right hand in round two, but he couldn’t finish the job as Makabu weathered the storm. The end wasn’t long in coming though as Mikaelian unloaded a flurry of shots that had Makabu down again in the third, and after the former champion survived the count, a follow-up attack with heavy hands forced the referee to stop the contest as Makabu was falling to the canvas.
Undercard recap:
Trevor Bryan (22-2, 15KOs) found his ambitions to get back into contention at heavyweight in tatters, as he was halted in seven by Cassius Chaney (23-1, 16KOs). Bryan was floored in the second  round, and a massive right hand landed flush on a tiring Bryan’s chin flattened the former WBA champion, and the contest was over.
A HUGE knockout from Cassius Chaney against former ‘world champion’ Trevor Bryan last night 😳#CassiusChaney | #Knockout pic.twitter.com/bAkSjCenf0
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) November 5, 2023
Jonathan Giudry (20-1-2, 12KOs) recorded a one-punch knockout in his heavyweight ten rounder against Jesus Escalera (19-1, 19KOs), ending maters in the second round.
Middleweight prospect Alexander Castro (13-1, 11KOs) scored a third round knockout win against Hector Esnar Bobadilla (9-17-1, 4KOs), and at super lightweight, Isaiah Efrain Riquelmy (6-1, 4KOs)won every round of six against Rondale Hubbert (5-26-3, 9KOs).
Corey Caad (5-4, 2KOs) took a decision win over Isiah Hart (6-5-1, 4KOs) at super middleweight.
