OPETAIA VS. BRIEDIS II: REDEMPTION CLASH FOR RING MAGAZINE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
Jai and Mairis during their first battle (Getty Images: Peter Wallis)
In a highly anticipated showdown, Jai Opetaia is gearing up to defend his Ring Magazine cruiserweight championship against Mairis Briedis on February 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This clash will serve as the co-main event, setting the stage for the much-awaited battle between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Adding to the intrigue, the vacant IBF world title belt will be on the line in the Opetaia-Briedis bout. Initially scheduled to face Gilberto Ramirez, Briedis now finds himself in a rematch against Opetaia after Ramirez withdrew from the purse bid, resulting in the cancellation of their proposed matchup.
Opetaia, based in Sydney, Australia, made headlines when he decided to vacate the IBF world title belt, citing an existing agreement for a different fight against Ellis Zorro. Undeterred by the IBF's insistence on defending the title against Briedis, Opetaia faced Zorro in Riyadh, delivering a spectacular first-round knockout.
This upcoming clash is a rematch from their July 2022 encounter, where Opetaia secured a unanimous decision victory over Briedis, who entered the bout as the Ring Magazine champion. Notably, Opetaia fought through their last battle with a broken jaw, an injury sustained in the second round of the grueling 12-round war. Despite this setback, Opetaia exhibited remarkable resilience to emerge victorious.
Following this triumph, Opetaia defended the IBF title with a fourth-round knockout against Jordan Thompson. Now, as he prepares to face Briedis once again, Opetaia aims to showcase his unwavering determination and skill in a bid to solidify his status as the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Briedis, residing in Riga, Latvia, has been on a quest for redemption since his loss to Opetaia. Apart from the defeat against the Australian boxer, Briedis' only other loss came at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk in January 2018. However, he bounced back with five consecutive victories, including a notable knockout win over Krzysztof Glowacki and a majority decision triumph over Yuniel Dorticos.
As Briedis just celebrated his 39th birthday on January 13, this rematch holds significant implications for both fighters. Opetaia, with the memory of their last battle lingering, seeks to overcome a familiar foe, while Briedis aims to capitalize on this opportunity for redemption. The boxing world eagerly awaits this showdown, set to unfold on the grand stage in Riyadh, promising fans a night filled with intense action and compelling narratives in the cruiserweight division.