IBF Orders Jai Opetaia Versus Mairis Briedis Rematch!
Next up for reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (22-0, 17 KOs) is likely to be a familiar foe. That’s because the IBF has ordered a match between Opetaia and Mairis Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs), the man Opetai defeated to win the title. The teams have until September 8 to agree to a deal, or the bout will go to a purse bid.
QUITE THE ORDEAL
It’s been a struggle for the IBF champion to finalize his next fight. In June 2023, the 28-year-old was in negotiations to defend the belt against then-IBF number one contender Mateusz Masternak. However, Masternak withdrew from a scheduled purse bid.
Opetaia then was ordered to face Richard Riakporhe, currently ranked second by the IBF. A purse bid was on tap for July 14. However, it was pushed back to August 8. But hours before the rescheduled purse bid, Riakporhe pulled out.
Now, it appears fans will see a rematch between Opetaia and Briedis. They previously fought in July 2022, with Opetaia winning by unanimous decision. Neither man has been in the ring since.
The Aussie took time off to recover from a broken jaw suffered during that victory. Then he was involved in a legal battle with ex-promoter Dean Lonergan.
Briedis was to return to the ring on July 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. But a setback in training forced the 38-year-old to withdraw from what would have been an eight-round bout.
Opetaia is itching to fight after so much time away from the ring. Briedis would love the opportunity for revenge and to regain the title. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for any additional updates.
