IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia makes his UK debut this weekend and in the build-up, has publicly insisted he’s preparing for a war against European champion Jordan Thompson. Before their Wembley Arena clash on Saturday night, let’s rewind back to the Australian southpaw’s last outing – a career-best result – stunning Mairis Breidis and seizing a version of the world title at 200lbs.
Opetaia respectful of Thompson, but coming for war
116-112, 115-113, 116-112: Opetaia bt. Mairis Briedis to win IBF world cruiserweight title on July 2, 2022 in his most recent outing
- After breaking his jaw in two places and being forced to eat through a straw for four months, Jai Opetaia (22-0, 17 KOs) makes his UK debut this weekend in voluntary world title defence against Jordan Thompson
- Cruiserweight division is bubbling up nicely. Chris Billam-Smith holds WBO gold, Richard Riakporhe targeting WBA champion Arsen Goulamirian while former titlist Lawrence Okolie also wants a return to the top table
- Earlier this month, the Aussie told BoxingScene: “He’s a good fighter, I respect him and know he’s dangerous – no pushover, I’m coming and preparing for a 12-round war. Wherever this goes I’m ready, train tremendously hard, put myself in deep waters everyday. Let’s get it on.”
- Winner will face three-time former world champion Mairis Briedis in mandatory title defence next, having narrowly lost to Opetaia last July
Jai Opetaia (22-0, 17 KOs) vs. Jordan Thompson (15-0, 12 KOs)
IBF cruiserweight world title fight at London’s Wembley Arena on Sept. 30
Estimated ringwalks from 10.30pm BST, live on DAZN in UK and USA
Opetaia started early, letting his left hand go in an encouraging opening round against the Latvian – the 38-year-old’s strength was emphasised by a sequence where he stumbled the home hopeful to the canvas, though it was ruled a slip.
Briedis’ activity and intensity increased as time wore on, Opetaia content to match him with powerful hooks and better lateral movement through six minutes.
Guilty of leaving his head exposed too long in the pocket, Briedis landed a series of sneaky uppercuts and jabs that the Australian was visibly unhappy at absorbing.
After a better third round by the challenger, Briedis finished it on top and Opetaia responded with an inspired fourth, landing more lefts while targeting the body as his trainer implored him to do with consistency.
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A three-punch combo snapped the veteran’s head back in the final minute, before he stung Briedis with a beautiful right uppercut as the crowd noise surged. If only he had a few more seconds, but alas, the bell rescued the champion just in time.
That was the first real sign of danger and in response, Briedis boxed on the back foot in the fifth, blood dripping down his nose as he looked to counter with single shots but Opetaia confidently leading the dance after his biggest round yet.
His corner sensed as much, warning him not to get overexcited before the sixth, another round banked for a challenger whose body work and activity was beginning to wear on a man ten years his senior. Perhaps the Latvian’s corner told him as much.
Round seven was his best to date: he connected on a series of vicious right hands, Opetaia weathered the storm and replied during some competitive exchanges – but Mairis imposed himself with dirty boxing in the latter stages.
That intensity continued in the eighth, unloading rights and left hooks as the crowd encouraged their man to find a second wind – sensing the tide was slowly turning.
A tough round to score with both having periods of success, don’t get sucked into a big brawl was the instruction from trainer Mark Wilson in Opetaia’s corner.
Round nine was scrappy, Briedis needing to push the pace more and Opetaia outworking him with activity. The champion still posed danger though, landing a big right and uppercut in quick succession during the final 30 seconds – a timely warning that the Australian couldn’t afford to get comfortable even if he was winning.
A big right uppercut rocked Opetaia midway through the tenth, Briedis charging towards him and throwing more haymakers as they exchanged furiously upclose.
R11 followed the same pattern, Opetaia being lulled into a firefight and having absorbed more bruising uppercuts, it was then disclosed on commentary between rounds that he’d sustained a serious jaw injury. Survival mode, engaged.
A sloppy final round followed, but Briedis was the aggressor landing more rights as Opetaia turned away in the pocket – showing just how much pain he was in. Hanging on, he’d built up a lead on the scorecards in an inspiring effort, all things considered.
What’s next?
Armed with a strong mindset, Opetaia speaks well and stressed he’s not travelling all this way for an easy return fight – even if it’ll be Jordan Thompson standing across from him, rather than original mandatory challenger Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs).
Having travelled to UK shores before, watching Billam-Smith duel with Isaac Chamberlain ringside over 12 gruelling rounds in Bournemouth last summer, he’s aware of the fervent crowds that will likely be rooting against him this weekend.
That doesn’t faze him though.
“I know I’m not that well-known over in England, Thompson is a great opponent so with us two showcasing our best, we will only earn respect.
It’s a huge opportunity for me, I’m excited for this UK debut because I love the fans’ support, want them to say ‘that’s a great fighter’ when I leave.
I’m at a stage in my life where I’m excelling, these other guys they’re linking me with are just maintaining what they have. Their cup is full and they’re trying to keep it that way – mine is only half full. I’ve got a lot of growth and am excited to show I’m the world’s best cruiserweight.”
- Opetaia on shutting out the noise, especially from a UK-rich division
Well, the first step all centres on how he fares this weekend against an unbeaten underdog with nothing to lose. Plenty in boxing circles have been complimentary of Thompson’s skills, so can he step up the same way Opetaia did last summer?
What did they say? Fellow pros on Opetaia-Thompson
Tommy Fletcher, 6-0 cruiserweight: Came back from training with Joyce out in Las Vegas to spar Thompson, it made sense as he’s boxing a southpaw and I am one so… very good operator, tall, fast hands, fast feet and he’s deceptively strong.
People can say it’s a bit too premature for him to take this fight but you know how the saying goes, gotta take every opportunity you get. Fighting for a world title, if he’s good enough – I believe he is – doesn’t matter if he doesn’t seem ready, or who he’s boxed beforehand. He’s ready to roll and I think he will win, yeah.
Moses Itauma, 5-0 heavyweight: [Mosope: People are saying this fight is two, maybe three fights too early…] Naaah, no. Nope. Jordan’s good, don’t get it twisted. Why not? Okay, if he loses now… then he can have another go at it later on.
You’re acting like he’s 40 and will never have another shot again. Who else is there to fight Opetaia? Riakporhe pulled out, so yeah.
Aloys Junior, 5-1 cruiserweight: I look at them all [domestic cruiserweights] as no different to myself, I can definitely be better than all these individuals.. but gotta carry on working. I really hope to see Jordan Thompson become a world champion man, we’re both English and I’d like to see it happen for him.
Ezra Taylor, 7-0 light-heavyweight: I’m flying the flag for Thompson man, he’s got the attributes: tall, rangy, got power.
Opetaia is a very good operator, technically good but also a southpaw which brings a whole different dynamic… I’m not too sure how experienced Jai is, he became a champion out of the blue – no disrespect – Thompson has been inactive but more active recently, I’ll back Jordan but it won’t be easy.
Isaac Chamberlain, 15-2 cruiserweight: Yeah, it’s a good fight. A big step-up for Jordan but he has the physical attributes to do it, exciting – I don’t know who wins – Opetaia’s had a long layoff but you’d think he should get the job done.
Can’t count anyone out in this division though.
Thompson was dropped for the first time as a pro, but still won the then-vacant IBF European cruiserweight title with a UD10 result against Vasil Ducar 13 months ago.
Czech Republic international Ducar (14-6-2, 10 KOs) has gone the distance against former IBO world cruiserweight champion Kevin Lerena and current WBO world titlist Chris Billam-Smith, while the 33-year-old coincidentally returns on the undercard of this weekend’s bill against highly-rated Olympian Cheavon Clarke.
Thompson returned on the Joe Cordina vs. Shavkat Rakhimov bill in Cardiff at the end of April, scoring a sixth-round TKO against Luke Watkins to retain his title.
When I asked about what was next for the Mancunian, promoter Eddie Hearn insisted he would entertain tougher tests on the European scene rather than get involved in more domestic duels for now. This shot has come early, but isn’t one he can’t win.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes procured by me unless hyperlinked
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