Published Apr 30, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 2 minute readRyan Rozicki, right, lands a body shot on Yamil Peralta during the World Boxing Council Interim World Cruiserweight Championship fight at Centre 200 in Sydney last December. Rozicki recently had surgery on his bicep and hopes to be back in the ring well before the end of this year. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Photo by Jeremy Fraser /Jeremy FraserThis time last month Cape Breton boxing fans were making plans to watch Ryan Rozicki fight for a world championship on May 3 in Saudi Arabia.The Sydney Forks professional boxer was scheduled to fight Badou Jack for the World Boxing Council’s cruiserweight title, but a freak accident forced the 30-year-old to pull out of the bout.Rozicki suffered a bicep injury during training last month, which required surgery. He went under the knife shortly after in Halifax, and according to his promoter Daniel Otter, he’s “progressing well.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“Ryan has really stayed positive throughout this whole ordeal,” said Otter. “He has really gone through hell and back to get this title and I’m sure once he is crowned champion of the world, it will all be worth it.”Otter said the WBC has assured Three Lions Promotions that Rozicki’s place as mandatory challenger for the world title will still be there when he returns to the ring.“We expect him to have a full recovery and be back in the ring in the months to come,” he said.TIMELINEA timeline for Rozicki’s return to the ring could not be confirmed, however Otter said doctors have told him recovery from surgery will take about three months, followed by two to three months of rehabilitation.“I have been able to give some rest to my body, and I am feeling great,” said Rozicki. “I will start my rehabilitation in the next month or so. I will be back in the ring well before the year has ended.”Article contentRozick, a top-rated cruiserweight contender, was originally scheduled to be part of a card known as “Riyadh Season” headlined by the Saul (Canelo) Alvarez and William Scull undisputed super middleweight championship bout.The fight, which was to be his first outside of Canada, was expected to come five months after Rozicki last fought in December in Sydney for the WBC’s interim world cruiserweight championship against Yamil Peralta – that fight was scored a majority draw, leaving the belt vacant.Meanwhile, Jack will defend the world cruiserweight title as originally planned on Saturday.Jack will now face Noel Mikaelian, who Rozicki was supposed to fight several times last year for the same championship.Article contentMikaelian won the WBC cruiserweight title in 2023, knocking out Ilunga Makabu in the third round.The 34-year-old Mikaelian was first scheduled to defend his title last June against Rozicki, but due to an injury in training the fight didn’t take place. The two were then scheduled to fight last September and December, but Mikaelian cancelled both times.In December, the WBC announced that Mikaelian would be the champion in recess and reinstated Jack as the champion in the division.Mikaelian will enter his fight with Jack with a professional record of 27-2 with 12 KOs, while Jack, who hasn’t fought since 2023, holds a record of 28-3-3 with 17 KOs.As for Rozicki, his record stands at 20-1-1 with 19 knockouts.Article content
Cape Breton boxer Ryan Rozicki progressing well following bicep surgery
