The IBF has officially confirmed that Jai Opetaya stripped of the world heavyweight title. Mairis Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs) will fight for the vacant belt against an available top-rated opponent.
The team of a boxer from Latvia, who was already a world champion in this weight category in the past, will soon begin negotiations with potential opponents. Right behind Briedis in the IBF rankings is Gilberto Ramirez, who recently debuted as a heavyweight and won an eliminator for the WBA championship belt.
Next in the ranking is Ryan Rozicki from Canada, who, however, is already guaranteed a fight for the WBC championship title, and Huseyin Jinkara from Germany, who has already had two fights this year. They are followed by Michal Cieslyak from Poland, whose chances of meeting Briedis so far look most convincing.
