Noel Mikaelian has walked away from a WBC cruiserweight title defense against David Benavidez in favor of a showdown with Jai Opetaia, a move that looks set to cost him his world title. The WBC ordered Mikaelian to defend his title against Benavidez earlier this year before later confirming it was assisting negotiations between the two camps. WBC Title in JeopardyThe WBC now has a significant decision to make. Instead, the bout has been promoted as a defense of Opetaia’s Ring championship and the Zuffa Boxing title. The collapse of Benavidez vs. Mikaelian may also revive another fight.