Promoter Frank Warren, orchestrating the “Day of Reckoning” event in Saudi Arabia, has expressed his disappointment with the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) decision that led to Jai Opetaia vacating his cruiserweight world title. Opetaia is set to face Warren's unbeaten fighter, Ellis Zorro, at the highly-anticipated event, but the match has been marred by the IBF’s refusal to sanction it.
The controversy stems from the IBF’s insistence that Opetaia fulfill his mandatory defense against Mairis Briedis. Despite granting Opetaia an exemption for a voluntary defense against Jordan Thompson in September, the sanctioning body remained firm on its mandate for the Briedis fight. This rigidity resulted in Opetaia vacating his title, as the upcoming bout with Zorro offered a significant career-high payday that he wasn’t willing to forego for a Briedis rematch.
Warren is particularly frustrated with the IBF's decision, considering Briedis had no objections to Opetaia proceeding with the fight against Zorro, who is generally seen as a massive underdog. He views the decision as short-sighted and counterproductive, stating, “Everybody on board, including the number one [Briedis], were all happy for it to take place. But, you know what, the fight is going on. Everybody knows who [Opetaia] is, they know he's considered to be the best at his weight out there so we'll just get on with it and the fight will happen.”
Warren emphasizes the magnitude of the event and the opportunity it presents for the fighters, arguing that the IBF's stance is, in his words, “ridiculous really.” The fight’s significance, both in terms of its place on a major card and its financial implications, has led to a situation where Opetaia felt compelled to choose the bout over retaining his IBF title.
Opetaia himself expressed resignation over the situation, noting that the card’s prominence and the financial rewards it offers were too significant to pass up, leading to the IBF stripping him of his title.
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