Jai Opetaia sues IBF over title stripping, alleges Zuffa retaliation

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia filed a lawsuit against the International Boxing Federation, alleging the sanctioning body stripped his title in retaliation for his move to Zuffa Boxing, ESPN reports.

Opetaia lost his belt in February when the IBF declared him ineligible to hold the strap under its rules, a decision the Australian contends was punitive rather than procedural. The lawsuit claims the IBF targeted him specifically because of his promotional agreement with Zuffa, the UFC parent company that launched a boxing vertical last year.

IBF stripping timeline and Opetaia's legal claim

The timing of the stripping raised immediate questions. Opetaia had defended the cruiserweight title successfully multiple times before inking his Zuffa deal, and no violation of IBF mandates was cited beyond a broad ineligibility clause. His legal team now argues the sanctioning body acted outside its own bylaws to punish a fighter for choosing a new promoter.

Zuffa Boxing has not commented on the suit. The IBF has yet to respond publicly to the allegations. Opetaia remains undefeated and is expected to pursue the vacant title or a world championship at a different sanctioning body while the case moves through the courts.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Opetaia suing the IBF after being stripped of title