Jai Opetaia Keeps IBF Title As Sanctioning Body Reviews Fight

No ruling has been announced, and Opetaia still holds the IBF belt while the organization continues its review.

“Update on Jai Opetaia’s title status: IBF continues to be reviewing matter, which implies his cruiserweight title stays intact,” reported Jake Donovan on social media. “Jai’s post-fight speech stressing his commitment to pursuing undisputed has prompted sanctioning body to further investigate matter.”

Opetaia stated after the fight that he intends to pursue undisputed status within the cruiserweight division. That stance appears to have influenced the IBF’s decision to delay motion while examining the situation. Sanctioning bodies often move quickly when champions take part in unsanctioned events, however the IBF has opted to proceed reviewing the circumstances surrounding Opetaia’s involvement before making a final determination.

The review leaves the division waiting on a final ruling from the sanctioning body. A call could determine whether Opetaia stays free to pursue major fights across different promotional platforms or whether he must make a choice from the IBF title and appearances on cards outside the organization’s sanctioning structure.

A unification option still exists. Noel Mikaelian holds the WBC cruiserweight title and has previously shown interest in facing Opetaia if the fight will be arranged.

The IBF title, due to this fact, stays with Opetaia for now while the sanctioning body determines whether disciplinary motion will follow his appearance on the Zuffa Boxing event in the approaching weeks, because the review process continues internally.