Don King’s claim that he got in the way of a Jake Paul world title fight has been blasted as a ‘fabrication’ by Most Valuable Promotions boss Nakisa Bidarian.
The controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer has set his sights on Badou Jack and his WBC cruiserweight world title as the belt he will pursue as his boxing journey takes the next step forward. However, he is not yet ranked with the governing body after landing at number 14 with the WBA earlier this month.
King released a statement today saying that his promotional outfit were offered a step aside deal by Paul for Noel Mikaelian, who has a WBC mandated rematch with Jack. The pair fought in May on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull, with the fight ending in a razor close Majority Decision.
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Jake Paul’s team shut down Don King’s step aside claim
Within hours of Don King’s statement that Jake Paul’s team had offered Noel Mikaelian a step aside deal, Most Valuable Promotions boss Nakisa Bidarian shut down the idea. Bidarian works alongside Paul as co-founder of the company, which last weekend aired the most viewed women’s pro sporting event of 2025.
“Don King Productions is denying Jake Paul’s request for former WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian to step aside from his world title rematch against Badou Jack, the current WBC Cruiserweight World Champion,” the statement read.
“The Hall of Fame promoter King said the WBC wouldn’t even be able sanction the matchup as Paul is not currently ranked by the WBC.”
Bidarian took to X to respond directly to the message, telling followers that there had been no talks of any kind. “Another fabricated statement by Don King,” he wrote. “There have been ZERO discussions with Don or Team Noel or anyone regarding step aside.”
Badou Jack will face Noel Mikaelian for WBC title
Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelian’s fight back in May was scored a draw by one judge, with the other two separating them by just one round. As a result, it was quickly ordered for a rematch by the WBC, which will take place this year.
It was set to go to purse bids today, but a deal has now been reached, according to a statement made to BoxingScene by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.
“The WBC has been notified that an agreement has been reached for the rematch between Cruiserweight champion Badou Jack and Noel Mikaelyan,” Sulaiman told BoxingScene and other media on Monday. “Consequently, the purse offer scheduled for [Tuesday] is hereby cancelled.”