Jai Opetaia reclaimed the IBF cruiserweight title in a hard-fought rematch with Mairis Briedis on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh.
The event took place in an intense atmosphere, where Opetaia won by unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112. The bout marked a significant comeback for both fighters, particularly for Opetaia who had been stripped of his title previously.
The match began with caution as both fighters took the first round to establish their range.
By the second round, action picked up when Opetaia backed Briedis into a corner and delivered a series of combinations. Briedis countered effectively with an overhand right that set the tone for a competitive fight.
Throughout the rounds, Opetaia showed aggressiveness and attacked with body shots while Briedis employed defensive tactics, managing to land significant jabs.
A pivotal moment occurred in the tenth round when a clash of heads opened a cut on Opetaia's face. Despite being bloodied and under pressure from Briedisās relentless attacks in subsequent rounds, Opetaia held his ground and utilized solid defense combined with counterattacks to maintain his lead.
This victory was crucial for Opetaia who had previously defeated Briedis in July 2022 but suffered a setback due to injuries and regulatory issues surrounding the sanctioning of his fights. Prior to this rematch, his last sanctioned win had led him to vacate the IBF title because it involved an unsanctioned opponent, Ellis Zorro.
Meanwhile, Mairis Briedis hadn't fought since losing to Opetaia back in July 2022 where he continued to struggle against younger boxers.
To provide further context on Jai Opetaia: he rose quickly within the cruiserweight division since his professional debut, accumulating victories that showcased not only power but also resilienceāmost notably overcoming a fractured jaw during his initial encounter with Mairis Briedis which underscored his toughness.
As of this victory, Jai Opetaia has brightly marked his return among the top cruiserweights globally.
