Newly crowned IBF world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaya after recovery, he will hunt for the biggest fights in his weight category. On Saturday evening in the Gold Coast in Australia, Opetaya, despite the status of a big underdog, outboxed Mairis Briedis, securing victory by unanimous decision. Prior to this fight, Briedis was considered the best heavyweight in the world.
During the fight, Opetaya suffered a broken jaw. The jaw was broken on one side in the second round and further injured in the last rounds of the fight.
“Opetaia has to be considered the toughest fighter on the planet after going through the second round with a broken jaw and still winning rounds against the heavy puncher Briedis,” Dean Lonergan, Opetai’s promoter, told Sky Sports in an interview.
“When his injury heals, I have no doubt that he will want to fight and beat the best in the world to build his legacy,” added the promoter.
“I'm exploring options. Jai's goal after winning this fight is to win the WBO belt if the deal is right and all parties are on the same wavelength. Jai wants this fight. Jai has ambitions to unify the division and given that he is now considered the best heavyweight in the world, this is a reality.”
After Briedis was defeated and a new champion was crowned, Okoli also expressed his desire to have a unification fight with Opetaya: “I want it immediately,” Okoli said.
