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Jack vs. Mikaelian 2: Who has the rematch edge?
When Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian clashed in May, the latter threw roughly 300 more punches. However, Jack was awarded the majority decision for his efficiency, as two judges credited him for landing the cleaner punches at a higher percentage.
Now, Jack will put his WBC cruiserweight world title on the line against Mikaelian once again as the two will have their anticipated rematch at Ace Mission Studios in Los Angeles, California, and live on pay-per-view, Saturday night.
The 42-year-old Jack (29-3-3, 17 KOs) had to stomach tough draws and close decisions that didn’t go his way over the course of his career, but got at least two judges to acknowledge his pointed punching and momentum-breaking, eye-catching potshots against Mikaelian (27-3, 12 KOs) in May.
Despite throwing 670 punches in that bout, Mikaelian landed only 153 to Jack’s 122 as the judges scored it 114-114, and 115-113 twice for Jack.
Will Jack once again prove to be the more efficient ring operator? Or will Mikaelian make sure he is not denied the world title this time in exacting revenge?
Here's who has the edge ahead of this WBC cruiserweight world championship bout, which takes place on the same Saturday that Diego Pacheco clashes with Kevin Lele Sadjo in a super middleweight tilt, live on DAZN .
MR
Boxing Styles
Badou Jack is as disciplined a ring general in boxing, working behind a high, tight guard and educated jab.
Once that stick is firmly established, Jack opens up his offense by wrapping a hook around opponents’ guards and pot-shotting them through it with pointed punching.
His efficiency will be up against the active guard and punching volume of Noel Mikaelian, who stays moving busily with a penchant for doubling and even tripling up with his right hands in driving up his output.
Will Jack’s sweet science efficiency be enough to stave off Mikaelian? Or will the Armenian challenger be more accurate in his quest to snatch the title off the champ?
This tale of the tape with styles goes to the seasoned Jack by a slim margin.
Edge: Jack
Power
Both fighters have decent pop to their punch, but Jack has a bit more zing to his output, especially on his potshots.
Those eye-pleasing punches helped sway judges’ scorecards in their May fight and can do so again if Jack is successful in landing them cleanly.
In addition, he touts the higher knockout ratio — about 59 percent to Mikaelian’s 44 percent.
The nod here goes to the champ.
Edge: Jack
Mental Warfare
When you are as pragmatic and stingy a ring orchestrator as Badou Jack, a decision can easily go the other way.
The Gambian-Swede fighter did an excellent job of parrying many of Mikaelian’s punches in their initial fight, but allowing the Armenian to register a punch count close to 700 again could be perceived as losing to another set of judges.
Therefore, it is a dangerous game to treat rounds as shrewdly as Jack does. If Mikaelian can fire away and connect with more punches in this rematch, perhaps he can get the points win in his favor this time.
Just knowing that should give Mikaelian a boost of confidence heading into this sequel.
Edge: Mikaelian
Who has the edge in Jack vs. Mikaelian?
At 42, Jack keeps himself in pristine shape, so Father Time creeping up on him is not as big a concern as being overwhelmed by a deluge of Mikaelian’s punches.
That said, DAZN News is giving the champion a 2-1 edge to manage his ring real estate just enough to land the clean potshots needed to retain his title.
But if his punch count is too low, do not be surprised if the championship changes hands.
Watch Pacheco vs. Lele Sadjo with a DAZN subscription
Diego Pacheco versus Kevin Lele Sadjo is exclusively on DAZN this Saturday night, December 13, with Skye Nicolson and Gabe Flores Jr. also on the card. Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
