Cieslak (28-2, 22 KO), whose only pro losses came in title bids against Ilunga Makabu and Lawrence Okolie, mollywhopped the remains of Jean Pascal two Junes ago for his seventh consecutive victory since falling to Okolie in 2022. He’s not a particularly glamorous opponent and doesn’t have the deepest body of work outside of faded vets like Pascal, Olanrewaju Durodola, and Youri Kayembre Kalenga, but he’s a solid operator and hasn’t gone the distance in victory since 2018.
Thus, a kinda-palatable title defense. Maybe next time.