Jai Opetaia Retains Tile; Scotney Gets Big Win!
JAI OPETAIA VS JORDAN THOMPSON – In the first defense of his title IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (23-0, 18 KO’s) made quick brutal work of challenger Jordan “Troublesome” Thompson (15-1, 12 KO’s). In the first round, the champion fell into an equilibrium of range with his taller foe, darting in and out of the strike zone at will. He even managed to badly wobble and hurt Thompson with a left hook in the final seconds. By the end of the third Troublesome’s nose was bleeding worse than a randy babysitter in a Michael Myers movie.
While trying to stand his ground behind a stern body attack, Thompson was clobbered with a series of hooks that kidnapped his balance and left him tipping over to the canvas. Troublesome made his feet but ended the period getting pummeled with a handsome variety of powershots. Following the barrage of blows, Thompson was saved by another bell and stumped back to his corner like he was fresh from a Drink Champs interview.
Unsurprisingly, at the top of the fourth, Opetaia detonated a thunderous straight left into Thompson;s teeth and followed it with a thumping right hook to the temple. The duo of shots sagged the legs of Troublesome who went down leaning against the ref on one knee in some drunken looking version of the Heinmans trophy stance. Seeing his piteous condition the official quickly called halt to the action and saddled him with his first defeat.
ONE HIT WONDER
In her second fight of the year, IBF super bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney (8-0, 0 KO) made the first defense of her title. She accomplished this by handily defeating Laura “La Joya” Griffa (20-9, 1 KO) in a competitive but rather one-sided affair. Overall this was a case of, if you saw one round you essentially saw them all.
Throughout the duel, the very game Griffa continuously pursued the champ around the ring pressing the action. The trouble was Scotney was able to effectively work off the back foot and stymie the majority of her opponents aggressive onslaught with her jab and much quicker hands. Yet, beyond the jab Scotney connected with an endless river of hooks, straight rights and stifling body shots. To her credit, Griffa absorbed the offense well but could not make any meaningful adjustment that resulted in sustaining any consistent effective offense of her own. As a result she lost a unanimous decision loss to the tune of 100/90, 100/91 and 99/91.
