Via Brian Webber: Newly crowned IBF cruiser champion Jai Opetaia is likely to defend her first title against undefeated No. 10 Jason Whateley instead of rematching former champion Mairis Briedis.
Although Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs) asked 27-year-old Aussie Opetaia to rematch in his dressing room after losing by unanimous decision 12 rounds last Saturday night, it looks like they will go in a different direction.
Opetaia won with the scores 116-112, 115-113 and 116-112. Although some boxing fans have had the match scored closer, it is still agreed that the right person has the decision on the night.
The 37-year-old Briedis missed too many rounds in the first half of the competition, and he will need to win every round in the second half of the battle to get a draw.
Opetaia promoter Dean Lonergan likes that he defended against Whateley, 31, from Australia and is said to have helped him in the match to prepare for the fight against Briedis last Saturday.
It’s unclear whether IBF’s 10th-ranked Whateley is a household name across Australia or if Lonergan picked him because he was less of a threat than scheduled for Opetaia’s rematch with tough Briedis.
Opetaia fractured her jaw during the victory over Briedis, and it is said to require surgery to repair. With an injury like that, it would be a great idea to keep Opetaia away from tough fighters like Briedis, Yuniel Dorticos, or WBO champion Lawrence Okolie.
What Opetaia needs is a light hitter, one who won’t brake and put him in danger of being sidelined in 2023.
Below is a picture of Jai Opetaia’s two broken jaws. The new world champion is undergoing surgery #BriedisOpetaia pic.twitter.com/Uym1NfBhgf
– Ben Damon (@ben_damon) July 3, 2022
In the amateur world, Opetaia often fights Whateley so they understand each other very well. Additionally, Whateley is said to have helped in the fight to get Opetaia ready for his Briedis title challenge.
“As soon as it is correct, my preference is that we fight in Australia against an Australian“Lonergan said to Fox Sports. “The most obvious one would be Jason Whateley.
“He’s up there and qualified, he’s in the top 15 in the world, he’s had ten professional fights, and he’s going to be a great fight for Jai, but let’s wait and see. It will go to what Jai wants. We’ll just talk about what he wants and we’ll start from there. “
To be sure, there are more popular contenders in the top 15 that Opetaia can defend his IBF cruiser belt, which should generate even more excitement in his first defense. He doesn’t need to fight Whateley unless there’s anxiety about his jaw.
Options for Opetaia
- Murat Gassiev
- Badou Jack
- Chris Billam-Smith
- Noel Gevor
- Yuniel Dorticos
- Richard Riakporhe
