Badou Jack looks to return to the ring after a near two-year hiatus, hoping to secure the most lucrative fights at cruiserweight in 2025.
‘The Ripper’ became a three-division world champion last year, flooring seasoned veteran Ilunga Makabu twice before producing a 12th-round finish to claim the WBC strap.
Shortly after his remarkable achievement, though, the 41-year-old was named the sanctioning body’s champion in recess due to a lengthy spell of inactivity.
Instead, Norair Mikaeljan is now regarded as the WBC titlist at 200 lbs, with Jack looking to topple his rival ahead of a possible unification with Gilberto Ramirez.
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Badou Jack must beat Norair Mikaeljan before facing Gilberto Ramirez
Before moving up to cruiserweight, Jack was widely regarded as one of the sport’s most well-rounded operators, campaigning across the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
Following memorable dustups with the likes of Geroge Groves and James DeGale, the Swede claimed his WBA trinket at 175 lbs with a devastating fifth-round stoppage over Nathan Cleverly.
But now, it is difficult to say how much the versatile technician has left in the tank, despite seemingly rediscovering a degree of destructive power in his last outing.
Nevertheless, Jack has been clamoring for a shot at Mikaeljan, who is currently tied up in a legal battle with legendary promoter Don King.
Ramirez, meanwhile, comes off a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Chris Billam-Smith, unifying the WBA and WBO titles.
And with the Mexican now looking to take on IBF titlist Jai Opetaia, Jack must restore his full championship status in order to secure a unification.
Badou Jack dismisses potential Chris Billam-Smith fight
Despite his punishing defeat to Ramirez, Billam-Smith has been promised a lofty ranking with the WBC.
But regardless, Jack has little interest in taking on the Brit unless he has a title strapped around his waist.
“He’s not a champion and that’s the first time I’ve seen him fight [against Ramirez],” Jack told BoxingScene. “I don’t really know him like that. I’m looking for the big money fights and the unification fights.”
“The money’s not really in the UK or the US anymore. It’s in the Middle East. But money talks.
“I’m not saying no to nobody. But coming out of a loss, he lost his belt, he’s not really a big name, so he don’t really bring nothing to the table.”
While Jack remains focused on landing a mega fight next year, Billam-Smith should, before long, be given the opportunity to become a two-time world champion.
That said, the situation with the WBC remains somewhat obscure, with no indication as to when Jack could reclaim his title.