Opetaia Maintains Undisputed Dream After IBF Strip

Jai Opetaia still plans to become undisputed cruiserweight champion despite losing two titles without stepping into the ring.

The Australian was stripped of the IBF belt in March after he outpointed Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas, then learned the WBC had declared its title vacant before his ninth-round stoppage of Noel Mikaelian on Saturday. Opetaia told The Ring's Rick Reeno that the setbacks have not changed his goal. "I feel like it's gonna happen, honestly," he said. "I still believe in the undisputed dream."

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Zuffa Boxing 11 on Ticketmaster →

Opetaia Sues IBF Over Title Strip

Opetaia filed a 123-page lawsuit against the IBF in U.S. District Court in Nevada on July 14, seeking reinstatement as champion. According to Ring Magazine, the complaint alleges the sanctioning body stripped him in retaliation for signing with Zuffa Boxing, the new promotional outfit backed financially by Ring owner Turki Alalshikh. Opetaia also claims the IBF never intended to sanction his bout with Glanton.

The WBC elevated interim champion Michal Cieslak to full champion on Monday and confirmed Opetaia would become mandatory challenger for the winner of Cieslak versus David Benavidez. Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and is expected to face Cieslak on December 12. That unification bout could set up a showdown with Opetaia.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Zuffa Boxing 11 on Ticketmaster →

Opetaia said a fight with Benavidez is his priority regardless of the sanctioning mess. "I'm chasing the belts," he told Reeno. "Whether Benavidez comes up or not, I was chasing Ramirez before that, and before Ramirez I was chasing Billiam-Smith. I've been chasing these unification fights for so long. Now, Benavidez is a big name. Now, it's his turn."

A potential Opetaia-Benavidez unification is reportedly being discussed for Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2027.

Source: ringmagazine.com