Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian fight proceeds despite Don King legal challenge

Jai Opetaia and Noel Mikaelian remain scheduled to compete this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout, which serves as a co-main event on the Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn card, has faced potential cancellation due to a cease-and-desist letter from promoter Don King. King claims he holds exclusive rights to promote Mikaelian, a charge Zuffa Boxing CEO Dana White dismissed while asserting that the necessary contractual requirements are met. The WBC also previously warned that Mikaelian could be stripped of his title if he proceeds with the matchup instead of fulfilling a mandatory defense against David Benavidez. Both fighters have dismissed the legal maneuvering as external noise, stating their primary focus remains on the upcoming 12-round contest regardless of the ongoing sanctioning and promotional disputes.

• 12:30 AMYahoo Sports — 'Absolute circus': Jai Opetaia, Noel Mikaelian react to Don King's attempt to cancel fight