Who is Michal Cieslak?

Michal Cieslak facts

By Tim Rickson15 Sept 2026 · 2 min read

Things you didn't know about Michal Cieslak

The newest world champion, Michal Cieslak, was crowned WBC cruiserweight titlist on September 14, 2026.

The Polish professional puncher was elevated from Interim to full world champion after Noel Mikaelian was stripped by the WBC following his ninth-round knockout defeat at the hands of Jai Opetaia.

He had fought for world titles before so is well known across the world, but GBN gathered a list of facts designed to get to know the new champ better.

Michal Cieslak Facts

Michal Cieślak was born April 19, 1989, in Kozienice, Poland. He was raised and still resides in Radom, a city in east-central Poland, near the capital of Warsaw.

Cieślak began his amateur boxing career at the age of 12 in local clubs, initially training at Radomiak before moving to BTS Broni Radom under Polish coaches. He competed in the heavyweight division (91 kg).

In 2012, he captured the Polish Youth Championship title in the 91 kg category and earned a silver medal at the Polish Senior Championships. The following year, in 2013, he again secured silver at the Polish Senior Championships.

Cieślak had over 130 amateur bouts, never having been knocked down.

Cieślak made his professional debut on June 29, 2013, winning 39–36 on points against Lukasz Zygmunt at the Amfiteatr in Ostróda, Poland.

He won his first pro title when he defeated Jarno Rosberg in August 2015 in Poland to capture the vacant Republic of Poland Youth International cruiserweight title via first-round KO.

Cieślak defeated WBC cruiserweight title contender Francisco Palacios by fourth-round technical knockout in April 2016.

Cieślak won the vacant IBF Baltic and the Republic of Poland cruiserweight titles on in December 2016 in Wrocław, Poland by defeating Nikodem Jezewski via third-round TKO. However, 30 days later on January 9 it was revealed that both fighters had failed their respective drug tests and were both subsequently suspended for one year with Cieślak's win being overturned and ruled a No Contest.

He served his ban and returned to action in October 2017, scoring a UD victory against Ivica Bacurin.

Cieślak fought Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title on January 31, 2020 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of The Congo, but suffered the first defeat of his career, losing by UD - 116–111, 115–111 and 114–112.

Cieślak then challenged WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie in February 2022, but lost on another unanimous decision.

He became European champion in 2023 and defended it successfully the same year.

He stands at 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall with a 79-inch (201 cm) reach.