In a significant move in his boxing career, undefeated cruiserweight Jai Opetaia is reportedly planning to vacate his IBF title to pursue a more lucrative opportunity in Saudi Arabia. As reported by Ben Damon and Fox Sports Australia, Opetaia is set to face Ellis Zorro this Saturday night as part of the “Day of Reckoning” card, featuring heavyweights like Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
The decision comes after a negotiation for a three-fight deal with Saudi sponsors, which is expected to net Opetaia more than $2 million. His bout with Zorro alone is poised to earn him $450,000. This shift in focus marks a significant change in direction for Opetaia’s career, especially considering the prestige and responsibility that comes with holding a world title.
Opetaia’s journey as the IBF cruiserweight champion has been eventful. He captured the title last year in a remarkable victory over Mairis Briedis, although the triumph came with a cost as Opetaia suffered a broken jaw, leading to an extended recovery period. Briedis, as the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, has been a significant figure in the background of this unfolding scenario.
The IBF initially granted Opetaia an exemption to defend his title against Jordan Thompson, but his request to fight Zorro was denied. The IBF’s stringent stance is based on their regulations, which disallow back-to-back exemptions, especially against a fighter like Zorro, who does not have a world ranking. The sanctioning body’s spokesperson emphasized the need for consistency in applying these rules to maintain fairness and order within the sport.
Facing a dilemma between adhering to the IBF's directives and seizing a financially rewarding opportunity, Opetaia’s team appealed the decision, which was subsequently denied by the IBF. As a result, moving forward with the fight against Zorro means Opetaia will have to relinquish his IBF world title.
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