Armenian WBC cruiserweight champion Norair Mikaeljan [Noel Gevor] and Canadian challenger Ryan Rozicki seem unable to get into the ring due to behind-the-scenes issue. Though the two had been set to fight in June, an injury suffered by Mikaeljan forced the WBC-mandated bout to be postponed. Despite this initial scheduling suggesting an agreement was in place and only a new venue and date had to be picked, the fight is headed to a purse bid after subsequent scheduling for a September 28th bout was postponed due to Mikaeljan’s promoter, Don King, suffering from health issues.

Partially for the delay of the fight appears to be the infamous Don King, head of Don King Productions, who reportedly suffered from health issues shortly before September 28, which somehow prevented the fight from occurring. This suggests there is no actual hierarchal structure within Don King Productions for anyone else to step in his place, heavily tying the promotion’s operations to solely King―who turned 93-years old this August.

Though WBC cruiserweight (200 lbs) champion Norair Mikaeljan (27-2, 12 KO’s) and contender Ryan Rozicki (20-1, 19 KO’s) appear uninvolved in the actual circumstances, King’s failed health has presumably led to multiple postponements of the fight as revealed by The Ring’s Jake Donovan, which has led to the WBC enforcing a purse bid on the fight.

The purse bid is set to be held today [October 4] and hopefully draw an amicable conclusion to a fight that was due for 4 months ago. The fight is expected to be held in December as a result of the purse bid’s date.

Once the fight has been properly rescheduled, Norair Mikaeljan will be set to defend his WBC cruiserweight title for the first time since winning it in November of 2023.

29-year old Ryan Rozicki would be faced with his first opportunity to become a world champion if a match with Mikaeljan were arranged.