Jai Opetaia’s pursuit of becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion could face a major obstacle just days before his Zuffa Boxing debut as IBF has issued the Australian champion an ultimatum ahead of his bout with Brandon Glanton this Sunday.
Opetaia originally won the IBF cruiserweight title by defeating Mairis Briedis in 2022 but was later stripped after choosing to fight Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia in a bout the IBF declined to sanction. Six months later, he reclaimed the belt by beating Briedis again and has since made four successful defenses during his second reign while calling for unification fights with other champions.
In January, the undefeated southpaw signed with Zuffa Boxing, rand now he is scheduled to face Glanton for the vacant and inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight title, though he previously admitted he was unsure whether his IBF belt would be on the line.
Now, according to ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, the IBF has informed Opetaia he must choose which title he will fight for this weekend. “Sources: IBF has requested Jai Opetaia to make a decision on the title he’ll be fighting for this weekend. He can either defend the IBF title or fight for the promoter’s belt, but not both.”
With Opetaia being one of Zuffa Boxing’s marquee signings, it is widely expected he will proceed with the Zuffa title fight. That decision, however, could result in the IBF stripping him once again.
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