2 weeks Ago
Australian boxing superstar Jai Opetaia has dispelled rumours surrounding a sparring session with heavyweight king Tyson Fury and vowed to win his IBF cruiserweight world title back against Mairis Briedis. Opetaia won the title in July 2022 after overcoming Briedis — and a shattered jaw on both sides — in one of the greatest fights in Australian boxing history. Boxing: CANELO V MUNGUIA Mexican superstars will go toe-to-toe for the Super Middleweight World Title | SUN 5 MAY 10AM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
However, the Aussie was forced to vacate the belt when he fought Ellis Zorro on December 23 in Saudi Arabia last year as the IBF had wanted him to rematch Briedis, his mandatory contender. The cruel twist was that Briedis was injured and his team had even granted permission for Opetaia to fight Zorro, a bout which lasted less than one round as the Australian knocked him out cold. Yet the rematch is finally on and will take place on the undercard of the eagerly anticipated heavyweight clash between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 19 with the vacant IBF title on the line once again.
The bout will be the first time Briedis has stepped into the ring since he lost his world title to Opetaia on the Gold Coast. But Opetaia is “not even thinking” about Briedis’ lack of activity and insisted the Latvian presents a serious threat to his unblemished record. “I’m preparing for the best version of Briedis,” Opetaia told The Main Event Boxing Podcast .
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