Ahead of his Zuffa Boxing debut this Sunday, Jai Opetaia must resolve which belt he’s fighting for.
This coming Sunday, Zuffa Boxing is ready to carry their fourth event for the reason that start of the yr, hoping to proceed their takeover of the game.
Over the past few weeks, the promotion has been firmly within the headlines following their $15 million signing of Conor Benn, followed by news that they’re facing legal motion from their competitors.
Despite that, this Sunday from the Meta Apex, arguably their biggest star Jai Opetaia is ready to make his promotional debut against Brandon Glanton.
Jai Opetaia must resolve which title he fights for this Sunday
Opetaia currently holds the IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight titles and on Sunday night, the inaugural Zuffa Boxing Cruiserweight title is ready to be on the road.
Nevertheless, an IBF spokesperson has told Uncrowned that the Australian champion must select which title he desires to fight for, not allowing him to defend his IBF title and fight for the promotional title.
“The IBF continues to be deliberating on the whole thing of the situation regarding Jai Opetaia’s bout vs. Brandon Glanton. We are usually not making a public statement presently.”
Not long after signing with Dana White’s promotion, Opetaia reminded them of his goal to turn into the undisputed Cruiserweight champion, which looks to be an issue.
Zuffa Boxing have at all times remained adamant that they are going to not recognize the normal sanctioning bodies, and now the normal sanctioning bodies appear to be taking their stance.
Nevertheless, if Opetaia opts to fight for the Zuffa title as an alternative of defending his IBF title, he can be stripped of the IBF title entirely.
“If a champion participates in an unsanctioned contest inside his prescribed weight limit, the title can be declared vacant whether the Champion wins or loses the bout,” rule 5.H of the IBF rules states.
Opetaia is eyeing a move to heavyweight
Still with a giant decision to make, ahead of his Zuffa Boxing debut on Sunday, the 30-year-old has declared that he’s interested by a future move to heavyweight.
For some time now, boxing fans have been calling for a fight between Oleksandr Usyk and the Australian, and Zuffa Boxing could also be hopeful that they will land the large fight in the long run.
Before that may occur, though, Opetaia must get through the test of Glanton this Sunday, potentially making history by becoming the primary Zuffa Boxing champion.