Australian boxer Jai Opetaia clinched the vacant IBF cruiserweight title after a grueling 12-round battle against Mairis Briedis.
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Opetaia regained the title, which was stripped from him the previous year, with a unanimous decision victory, with judges scoring the bout 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 in his favor.
The Australian fighter dominated the early rounds of the fight, showcasing his skill and prowess. However, Briedis, his 39-year-old Latvian opponent, staged a remarkable comeback in the later rounds, delivering a stirring performance.
“We knew we were in for a tough fight. I said it throughout the whole lead-up,” Opetaia commented. “We were ready for 12 rounds of war, and that’s what we got.”
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Credit: Getty Images
Opetaia attributed Briedis’s resurgence to a pivotal moment in the match, citing a head clash that resulted in a broken nose for him. Despite the setback, Opetaia commended Briedis for landing impactful shots that posed a challenge.
“Mairis Briedis, I’m honored to share the ring with a champion like that,” Opetaia acknowledged. “I idolized this guy…to be here and share the ring with him, he’s a true warrior.”
With this victory, Opetaia’s professional record improves to 25 wins, with no losses and 19 knockouts. Notably, this marks Opetaia’s second triumph over Briedis.
The bout served as the co-main event preceding the highly anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
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