Noel Mikaelian can finally refocus on his career after being snake bitten several times.

Following a circuitous ride, “The Dark Horse” Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) will get back on his saddle and head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to face Badou Jack (28-3-3, 19 KOs) for the WBC cruiserweight title on May 3.

Mikaelian – the WBC’s champion in recess – is stepping in on three weeks’ notice for the injured Ryan Rozicki to fight Jack for the title he never lost in the ring. The bout will take place on the undercard of the undisputed super middleweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and William Scull on DAZN PPV.

“I am very grateful that I can get this opportunity,” Mikaelian told The Ring in an interview. “I know it's on short notice, but I will be ready. I have to rush things a little bit, but it's OK. I accept and take the challenge and will be ready to perform in the ring.”

Mikaelian, a 34-year-old Armenian based in Miami, was preparing for a tune-up tilt in May when Rozicki suffered a torn biceps. Mikaelian hasn’t fought since knocking out Ilunga Makabu in November 2023 to win the title that Jack vacated instead of facing him after he too knocked out Makabu in February of that year.

Mikaelian’s whirlwind 2024 consisted of an injury that postponed his planned fight against Rozicki in June, another postponement of the Rozicki fight in September when Mikaelian's promoter Don King fell ill, followed by a legal issue between Mikaelian and King that forced the cancellation of the Rozicki fight in December. Although Mikaelian assured that he and King had resolved their differences, the WBC downgraded Mikaelian to its champion in recess and gave Jack the title.

“It's karma, kind of. God works in strange ways sometimes,” said Mikaelian. “It's been very tough dealing with the politics of boxing. I know the situation has been complicated, but I am the legitimate champion. I am always the underdog and I always come out victorious, and I will this time, too. I will bring justice.”

Mikaelian has also faced injustice during the two losses on his ledger, a unanimous decision loss to Mairis Briedis in 2018 and a split decision defeat to Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in 2017. Many observers believe Mikaelian won both fights.

“Those two losses are arguably my best performances,” said Mikaelian. “They call it close, but it wasn't even close. It was a robbery. There is a lot of politics in boxing, unfortunately, and we have to speak about it. It's the truth. I am practically an undefeated fighter. But I am not focused on past experiences. I am only focused on Badou Jack and giving it 100 percent in the ring. The best I can do is perform and I hope the legitimate winner will be announced.”

Jack, a 41-year-old three-division champion, hasn’t fought since stopping Makabu 26 months ago. He’s riding a six-fight winning streak by beating second-rate opposition ever since a 1-2-2 stretch from 2017 to 2019. From 2015 to 2019, Jack faced quality competition, beating the likes of Anthony Dirrell, George Groves, Lucian Bute, and Nathan Cleverly, fighting to draws against Adonis Stevenson and James DeGale, and losing decisions to Marcus Browne and Jean Pascal.

“I respect his achievements, and overall, he's a good fighter,” said Mikaelian. “I see myself being strong in this fight and will prove why I am the champion. I will be victorious and my hand will be raised.”

If Mikaelian reclaims the WBC title, he’ll have a solid seat at the cruiserweight table and can likely land title unification fights against The Ring and IBF champion Jai Opetaia and WBA and WBO champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.

“I am looking forward to the fights against Opetaia and Ramirez,” said Mikaelian. “Both are excellent fighters with unique styles. I respect them both a lot. I will be victorious against Jack and then ready for the unification fights.”