
Jai Opetaia: record, next fight and profile →




Unlike their first encounter two years ago, a fight of the year contender, the first nine rounds were relatively subdued with both fighters fighting cautiously and only Opetaia exceeding nine punches landed in a round once in the sixth round. Briedis came alive in the tenth round after a clash of heads bloodied Opetaia’s nose. Briedis out-worked Opetaia over the last three rounds, throwing 111 punches to Opetaia’s 76. That was not enough to overcome Opetaia’s lead on the judge’s scorecards.

Jai Opetaia reclaimed the IBF cruiserweight title after easing to victory in his rematch with Mairis Briedis


Mairis Briedis has not seen the ring since losing his IBF cruiserweight title to Jai Opetaia nearly two years ago.

Seven years ago Mairis Briedis was awarded the Order of the Three Stars, the most prestigious award any Latvian can receive.


War has been forecast ahead of the vacant IBF cruiserweight title fight in Saudi Arabia between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis.