HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (January 13, 2025) – The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered World Cruiserweight Champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KOs) to make his mandatory title defense against WBC No. 1 rated Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs).
If the two camps do not successfully negotiate a deal, the WBC will hold a purse bid on February 4th, after which Jack vs. Rozicki must happen within 60 days. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jack an offer last week to promote the fight in Canada.
“We’re waiting to hear their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most exciting and hardest hitters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the green WBC belt and, ultimately, to unify the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”
The 29-year-old Rozicki, who was born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and lives in Hamilton (Ontario), has had 22 pro fights against 21 different opponents (Yamil Alberto Peralta twice), stopping 19 of the 20 foes he defeated for an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.
Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion having also been a WBC Super Middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight title holder. Jack is 5-0-2 (2 KOs) in world championship bouts.
“We respect Jack, and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect into the ring, but he’s going to be fighting a young buck with power. Jack is going to be in a world of trouble and, honestly, I don’t think he’ll get past the first few rounds.”
Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canada native to be world cruiserweight champion.
The next move belongs to Badou Jack.