November 4, 2023, Miami, FL – All three of Don King’s “Only in America 92nd Celebration” Championship fights ended in spectacular knockout fashion at Casino Miami Jai Alai this evening. The evening’s marquee match-up saw newly crowned WBC Cruiserweight Champion Noel Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) stop the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ilunga Makabu (29-4, 25 KOs) one minute into the third round. After flooring Makabu in the second round, Miami’s Mikaelian, by way of Armenia, flustered the former champion with a barrage of punches. Entering this bout as the number one ranked contender, Mikaelian excelled in his first world title match.
The co-main event feature saw reigning NABA Gold Heavyweight Champion Jonathan Guidry (20-1-2, 12 KOs) retain his title against FECARBOX Heavyweight Champion Jesus Escalera (19-1, 19 KOs). After a back-and-forth first round, Dulac, LA’s Guidry imposed his will upon the undefeated heavyweight contender. In the second round, Guidry connected with an overhand right which put Escalera on the canvas for a ten count.
Following a dominant first round, the measured Cassius Chaney (23-1, 16 KOs) scored a second round knockdown with just over 30 seconds left when he floored Trevor Bryan (22-2, 15 KOs) with a right uppercut and connected again with a big right hook at the bell. Connecticut’s Chaney overwhelmed the former WBA champion resulting in a vicious seventh round KO via uppercut, capturing the vacant WBC Continental North American Championship.
WBC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSIP – 12 ROUNDS
Noel Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) vs. Ilunga Makabu (29-4, 25 KOs)
Result: Mikaelian wins by KO at 1:00 of Round 3
Scorecard: 29-26, 29-25, 29-25 Mikaelian
Mikaelian on his knockout victory: “I didn’t expect the knockout so early, but I knew my hand would be raised (in victory) at the end of the night. I’m so happy. I waited two years. I was so close to winning that belt and this time I didn’t want to leave any doubts.”
Mikaelian on his preparation for the fight and it’s significance “I had a great camp…I’m the first German to win a World Championship on American soil in 90 years, since Max Schmelling.”
NABA GOLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS
Jonathan Guidry (20-1-2, 12 KOs) vs. Jesus Escalera (19-1, 19 KOs)
Result: Guidry wins by KO at 2:00 in Round 2
Scorecard: 20-16 Guidry on all three Judges’ scorecards
Guidry on his future plans: “We’re going to see what’s next. This felt like a sparring session so I will be ready for December 2nd. I always fight whoever Don King puts in front of me and that’s why I am champion. I am ready for whoever.”
Guidry on Escalera: “I thought he would be stronger. I know he is a dangerous fighter but tonight I was on a different level and it showed.”
Guidry on having his family ringside: “It’s awesome. My family is what keeps me motivated and what pushes me. It was great having them here.”
WBA CONTINETAL NORTH AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 ROUNDS
Trevor Bryan (22-2, 15 KOs) vs. Cassius Chaney (23-1, 16 KOs)
Result: Chaney wins by KO at 2:03 in Round 7
Scorecard: 69-62, 69-62, 68-63 Chaney
Chaney on Bryan: “I saw everything. He couldn’t really get out of the way of my jab.”
Chaney on what the KO win means to him: “It means a lot. I went through a lot these last two years…I weathered the storm a little bit. I just stayed positive, I built my team with people that I trusted and DK (Don King) gave me a shot and we took full advantage of it.”
Chaney on what the win means for his confidence:” Oh, it’s huge because that was a big-time knockout. My mindset was just to win but once I got yelled at in the corner I knew to step to him and throw the overhand right. I thought ‘I could probably get him’ and he just ran right into it.”
MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 8 ROUNDS
Alexander Castro (12-1, 10 KOs) vs. Hector E. Bobadillia (9-17-1, 4 KOs)
Result: Castro wins by TKO at 1:15 of Round 3 following a body shot.
Scorecard: 20-16 Castro on all three Judges’ cards
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 6 ROUNDS
Isiah Hart (6-5-1, 4 KOs) vs. Corey Caad (5-4, 2 KOs)
Result: Caad wins by Unanimous Decision
Scorecard: 60-54, 59-55, 59-55 Caad
LIGHTWEIGHT ATTRACTION – 6 ROUNDS
Isaiah Efrain Riquelmy (6-1, 4 KOs) vs. Rondale Hubbert (15-26-3, 9 KOs)
Result: Riquelmy wins Unanimous Decision
Scorecard: 60-54 Riquelmy on all three Judges’ cards
