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Cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki Returns From 15-Month Layoff
With Another Overpowering KO
Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KOs) is back as a
legitimate force!
The explosive punching Canadian cruiserweight, currently
ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 5 by
Ring Magazine, returned last night from a 15-month layoff in
dominant fashion with a second-round technical knockout.
In the 31-year-old Rozicki’s dogged pursuit to become first
Canadian-born Cruiserweight Champion of the World, he
headlined against Gerardo Mellado (12-5, 7 KOs), of Chile,
on a card presented by Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions
Promotions, in front of 1,200 fans at Centre 200 in Sydney,
Nova Scotia, Canada.
Rozicki hadn’t fought since December 7, 2024, largely due to
a torn right bicep that he reinjured, along with several
world title fights falling through as the WBC mandatory
challenger. Naturally, he came out showing some rust, before
he quickly settled in and went on to decimate his Chilian
opponent.
In the second round, Rozicki floored Mellado and proceeded
to close the show, trapping Mellado on the ropes, and
unloading a barrage of powerful combination punches. Several
vicious body shots took their toll and when a damaged
Mellado went to canvas again, the referee waved off the
fight.
"I felt good in there,” Rozicki said after his fight. “Took
me a round to adjust but I am ready for the world title
fights. If I could, I would fight again tomorrow. He (Mellado)
was a lot tougher than I expected. He hit very hard. We had
a great fight. I didn’t feel anything until he actually hit
me, when I realized I was back in a fight again. It was 15
months since I’d been hit with a solid punch with a really
fight glove on and without wearing headgear.
“I want to get right back in the ring. My target, right now,
is (WBC Cruiserweight World Champion) Noel Mikaelian (28-3,
12 KOs) for the WBC world title. He dodged fighting me five
times. I’ve earned that shot and I would like to make it as
soon as possible.”
Sydney-native Rozicki is now unbeaten in 8 fights in Sydney
with 6 knockouts and 1 draw. He now sports an awesome 95.25%
career knockout ratio.
“Ryan Rozicki reminded the world tonight exactly who he is,”
Three Lions Promotions promoter Daniel Otter commented.
“After everything he’s been through with injuries and
setbacks, he came back and did what real punchers do; he
ended the fight in two rounds. Ryan has made it very clear
he wants Noel Mikaelian. That’s the fight we’ve been pushing
for and the fight the fans deserve to see. If that
opportunity comes, we’re ready.
“If Mikaelian isn’t available, we want the biggest fights in
the cruiserweight division, whether that’s Jai Opetaia,
Gilberto Ramirez, or anyone else holding a world title. Ryan
Rozicki is one of the most dangerous fighters in boxing
right now and the cruiserweight division is officially on
notice.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the entire event. We lost two
fights during fight week, but the fighters stepped up and
the fans in Cape Breton showed incredible support. It was a
great night for boxing, and Three Lions Promotions will be
back in the coming months with our next event in Vancouver.”
In the co-featured event, contested at a 182-pound
catchweight, Brandon Brewer (29-4-3, 12 KOs), former North
American Boxing Association (NABA) and Canadian Super
Middleweight Champion, cruised to an 8-round unanimous
decision over Daniel Beaupre (6-3, 3 KOs).
Promising welterweight prospect Dylan Taylor (5-0, 4 KOs)
remained undefeated, when Alex Nemeth (1-2-0), of Hungary,
failed to answer the bell for the fourth round.
In a match between a pair of pro-debuting super
welterweights, Sydney’s Thomas MacAuley (1-0, 1 KOs)
thrilled his hometown fans, defeating Devin Turner (0-1) by
way of a crowd-pleasing opening-round knockout.
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