Norair Mikaelian

Norair Mikaelian, professionally known as Noel Gevor Mikaelian, is an Armenian-German boxer born on September 18, 1990, in Yerevan, Armenia. Mikaelian’s early life was deeply influenced by his family’s boxing background. He is the stepson of former European middleweight champion Khoren Gevor, whose mentorship played a crucial role in shaping Mikaelian’s career. He began his boxing journey in Armenia, where he developed his foundational skills before relocating to Germany to further his training. In Germany, he joined reputable training camps known for producing elite boxers, which played a key role in refining his technique and preparing him for the professional stage.

As an amateur, Mikaelian competed in various national championships in both Armenia and Germany. These experiences allowed him to face a diverse range of opponents and grow into a well-rounded fighter. Notably, he secured victories in several prominent amateur tournaments, including a win at the Armenian National Championships, which boosted his recognition within the boxing community.

Turning professional in May 2011, Mikaelian quickly made his mark in the cruiserweight division. He captured the WBO International cruiserweight title in September 2015 and defended it multiple times. Although he faced tough setbacks—such as a split-decision loss to Krzysztof Włodarczyk in 2017 and a controversial unanimous decision loss to Mairis Briedis in 2018—he remained undeterred. His resilience and dedication paid off when he won the WBC cruiserweight world title in November 2023, solidifying his place as a world-class boxer.

His relationship with his stepfather is a shining example—he’s truly grateful for everything Khoren Gevor has offered him. He often reflects on how everything he’s earned has come with a lesson. To Mikaelian, family is not just defined by blood but by choice, respect, and doing the right thing—especially by listening to those who came before you.

Mikaelian’s boxing style is a refined blend of Armenian grit and German precision, deeply influenced by his stepfather and trainer, Khoren Gevor. Gevor’s approach to boxing is characterized by relentless pressure, close-range combat, and a focus on body attacks. He often employed lunging hooks to the body, aiming to wear down opponents over time. This aggressive style was evident in his bout against Dimitri Sartison, where Gevor consistently lunged inside, throwing numerous hook combinations to the body.

Gevor’s Armenian roots contributed to his tenacious fighting spirit, while his training in Germany added a layer of technical discipline. He maintained a high guard, utilized balanced stances, and employed fluid footwork to control the ring. His signature combinations often began with a right jab, followed by a straight left and a right hook, executed with precision and timing.

Mikaelian has inherited and refined these elements, blending them into his unique fighting style. He employs the German principles of precision and control. From Gevor, he has adopted the aggressive combination of punching and the mental fortitude to persevere through adversity. Mikaelian’s preferred combinations often mirror his stepfather’s, incorporating jabs to set up powerful straight rights and left hooks to the body, executed with the timing and accuracy characteristic of German-trained fighters.