Opetaia and Briedis Collide Again for Vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title in Saudi Arabia
In a highly anticipated showdown, former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis are set to lock horns once again in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. The two heavyweights completed their “grand arrivals” in Riyadh, signaling the impending clash for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title.
Opetaia, boasting an impressive record of 24-0 (19 KOs), secured the IBF title in a hard-fought battle against Briedis in July 2022. However, the Australian fighter was later stripped of the title for opting to face Ellis Zorro instead of a rematch with Briedis, after negotiations had stalled.
“I’m feeling good, ready to put on a good show,” said Opetaia, who delivered a first-round knockout of Zorro in Saudi Arabia in December. “I feel like he’s going to come out swinging and we’re ready for anything he brings. I don’t know how it ends yet, but it ends with my hand raised.”
The enigmatic Latvian Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs), who previously gave unified cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk his toughest fight in the pros, losing a majority decision in 2018, was also eager for the rematch.
“I hope all the boxing fans enjoy this fight, of course. We’re the best and we will show a very big drama,” he said, adding, “I think the winner will be who is stronger, like always.”
This highly anticipated cruiserweight clash is set to take place on the undercard of the heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, making it a part of one of the biggest fight nights of the decade, as Opetaia described it.
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