Opetaia Becomes IBF Champion

On May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Australian Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs) and Latvian Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20 KOs) faced off in a rematch for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title (up to 90.7 kg). In their first bout on July 2, 2022, Opetaia won by unanimous decision.

The fight lasted all 12 rounds and ended with Jai Opetaia winning by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112.

In December last year, Opetaia knocked out Briton Ellis Zorro (17-1, 7 KOs). Briedis hadn’t fought since July 2022, when he lost to Jai by unanimous decision.