Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia, considered one of the top fighters in his division, recently delivered a stunning performance in Saudi Arabia. On the “Day of Reckoning” card, which featured Anthony Joshua’s victory over Otto Wallin, Opetaia showcased his formidable power by knocking out the previously unbeaten contender Ellis Zorro with a devastating first-round punch.
Leading up to the fight, the 28-year-old Opetaia faced a significant hurdle as he was stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title. This action stemmed from a conflict with the IBF’s directive for a mandatory defense against Mairis Briedis. Although Opetaia was permitted a voluntary defense against Jordan Thompson a few months earlier, the IBF stood firm in denying another voluntary defense.
Despite Briedis, who has been sidelined with an injury since his loss to Opetaia in July 2022, granting his consent for the Zorro fight, the sanctioning body did not relent. This situation, however, did not deter Opetaia, who pursued the fight with Zorro as part of a broader multi-fight deal with Saudi promoters.
Opetaia’s manager, Matt Clarke, confirmed the plan for future bouts, stating, “His next fight will be in Saudi that’s for sure.” Clarke also expressed high praise for Opetaia’s skills, emphasizing his swift victory over Zorro as a testament to his standing as the world's best cruiserweight and Australia's most talented boxer.
Speculation arises about whether Opetaia might feature on the undercard of the highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, scheduled for February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
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