Jai Opetaia

Jai Opetaia (born 30 June 1995) is an Australian professional boxer who has held the IBF and The Ring world cruiserweight titles since July 2022. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the 2012 Youth World Championships and represented Australia at the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games.[1] As of February 2023, Opetaia is ranked the world's best active cruiserweight by The Ring magazine,[2] and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board,[3] second by BoxRec,[4] and third best by ESPN.[5]

Jai Opetaia
Statistics
Real nameJai Tapu Opetaia
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach76 in (193 cm)
NationalityAustralian
Born (1995-06-30) 30 June 1995
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights22
Wins22
Wins by KO17
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  Australia
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2011 AstanaLight heavyweight
World Youth Championships
Bronze medal – third place2012 YerevanHeavyweight

Personal life

Opetaia was born in Sydney, New South Wales and is of Samoan and European Australian heritage.[6] He is related to Australian football player Tim Cahill and former rugby league player Ben Roberts.[7]

Amateur career

In Opetaia's amateur career, he won the Light Heavyweight title at the 2011 Junior World Championships then qualified for the 2012 Olympics as a Heavyweight at the age of 16, making him the youngest ever Australian Olympic boxer.[8]

Opetaia won the Junior World title in Kazakhstan in July 2011.[9]

At the Olympic qualifier in Canberra 2012 he had a tough final against New Zealander David Light but prevailed 15:10.[10]

In 2012, Opetaia got the bronze medal at the AIBA World Youth Championships in the heavyweight division. Later that year, Opetaia competed at the 2012 Olympics, however did not pass the first round of the tournament.

Professional career

Early career

Opetaia was scheduled to face Daniel Ammann for the vacant WBC-OPBF and Australian cruiserweight titles on July 15, 2017.[11] He won the fight by a ninth-round technical knockout.[12] Opetaia was next scheduled to face Frankie Lopez for the vacant IBF Youth cruiserweight title on October 21, 2017.[13] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[14]

Opetaia made his first Australian Cruiserweight title defense against Benjamin Kelleher on January 17, 2018. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[15] Opetaia fought for yet another regional title on April 7, 2018, when he was set to face Lukas Paszkowsky for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific cruiserweight title. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[16] Opetaia made his first WBO Asia-Pacific cruiserweight title defense against Kurtis Pegoraro on June 29, 2018. The fight was simultaneously a fight for the vacant IBF Pan-Pacific cruiserweight title. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[17]

Opetaia fought Navosa Ioata for the vacant WBA Oceania interim cruiserweight title on May 15, 2019, and won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout.[18] Opetaia made his first title defense two months later, on July 27, 2019, against Nikolas Charalampous, while also fighting for the vacant WBO Global cruiserweight title. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[19] Opetaia made the first defense of these two titles, and fought for the inaugural IBF Asia-Oceania cruiserweight title, against Mark Flanagan on November 16, 2019.[20] He won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout.[21]

Opetaia was scheduled to defend his IBF Asia-Oceania and WBO Global cruiserweight titles in a rematch with Benjamin Kelleher on October 22, 2020.[22] He won the fight by a sixth-round technical knockout.[23]

Opetaia vs. Briedis

Opetaia was scheduled to challenge the reigning IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis on 6 April 2022.[24] The bout was postponed on February 16, as Briedis tested positive for COVID-19.[25] The bout was rescheduled for 11 May, and was expected to take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.[26] The bout was once again postponed on April 8, as Opetaia suffered a rib injury,[27] and rescheduled for July 2.[28] Opetaia won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112, 116–112 and 115–113.[29] During the fight, Opetaia badly broke his jaw in two places. Unable to give an interview following the match, he was instead taken directly to the hospital to undergo surgery to repair the fractures.[30]

Professional boxing record
22 fights 22 wins 0 losses
By knockout 17 0
By decision 5 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
22 Win 22–0 Mairis Briedis UD 12 2 Jul 2022 Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia Won IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
21 Win 21–0 Daniel Russell TKO 3 (8), 1:44 4 Dec 2021 Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia
20 Win 20–0 Benjamin Kelleher TKO 6 (10), 1:50 22 Oct 2020 Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, Australia Retained IBF Asia-Oceania and WBO Global cruiserweight titles
19 Win 19–0 Mark Flanagan TKO 8 (10), 3:00 16 Nov 2019 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia Retained WBA Oceania and WBO Global cruiserweight titles;
Won inaugural IBF Asia-Oceania cruiserweight title
18 Win 18–0 Nikolas Charalampous UD 10 27 Jul 2019 Luna Park, Sydney, Australia Retained WBA Oceania interim cruiserweight title;
Won vacant WBO Global cruiserweight title
17 Win 17–0 Navosa Ioata TKO 8 (10), 1:13 15 May 2019 The Star, Sydney, Australia Won vacant WBA Oceania interim cruiserweight title
16 Win 16–0 Kurtis Pegoraro KO 2 (10), 1:25 29 Jun 2018 Pullman Hotel and Resort, Brisbane, Australia Retained WBO Asia-Pacific cruiserweight title;
Won vacant IBF Pan-Pacific cruiserweight title
15 Win 15–0 Lukas Paszkowsky TKO 2 (10), 2:35 7 Apr 2018 Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia Won vacant WBO Asia-Pacific cruiserweight title
14 Win 14–0 Benjamin Kelleher TKO 3 (10), 2:36 17 Jan 2018 The Star, Sydney, Australia Retained Australian cruiserweight title
13 Win 13–0 Frankie Lopez TKO 1 (10), 2:55 21 Oct 2017 Function Centre, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBF Youth cruiserweight title
12 Win 12–0 Daniel Ammann TKO 9 (10), 1:49 15 Jul 2017 Wests City Club, Newcastle, Australia Won vacant WBC-OPBF and Australian cruiserweight titles
11 Win 11–0 Moses Havea TKO 2 (8), 1:03 12 May 2017 North Sydney Leagues Club, Sydney, Australia Retained ANBF New South Wales heavyweight title
10 Win 10–0 Kyle Brumby TKO 2 (8), 1:26 8 Apr 2017 Doltone House, Sydney, Australia
9 Win 9–0 Togasilimai Letoa TKO 2 (4), 0:30 10 Feb 2017 Faleata Sporting Complex, Apia, Samoa
8 Win 8–0 Isileli Fa TKO 3 (6), 0:36 23 Dec 2016 Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney, Australia
7 Win 7–0 Peter Brennan KO 1 (8), 2:46 9 Dec 2016 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia Won vacant ANBF New South Wales heavyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Uria Afamasaga TKO 2 (4), 0:37 14 Oct 2016 The Silverdome, Launceston, Australia
5 Win 5–0 Sefo Falekaono KO 6 (6), 1:11 22 Jul 2016 Mediterranean House, Sydney, Australia
4 Win 4–0 Orlando Vazquez PTS 4 23 Apr 2016 Centro de Usos Múltiples, Los Mochis, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Randall Rayment UD 6 28 Nov 2015 Mansfield Tavern, Brisbane, Australia
2 Win 2–0 Rob Manual TKO 1 (4), 2:46 14 Aug 2015 Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
1 Win 1–0 Isileli Fa UD 4 1 Aug 2015 Stadium Southland, Invercargill, New Zealand

See also

References
  1. "Jai Opetaia – Amateur career". boxrec.com. Retrieved 26 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Ratings". The Ring. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  3. "Rankings – Transnational Boxing Rankings Board". Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  4. "BoxRec: Ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  5. "Boxing divisional rankings -- The best top 10 fighters per division". espn.com. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. "Why Jai Opetaia is ready to showcase world title credentials against Mairis Briedis". Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  7. "Jai Tapu Opetaia - Boxing - Olympic Athlete | London 2012". Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  8. Article
  9. Results
  10. Results
  11. Parris, Michael (14 July 2017). "Doberman takes new bite at national title". newcastleherald.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  12. "Jai Scores TKO Victory". triplem.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  13. Raspanti, John J. "Boxing prodigy Jai Opetaia looking to turn heads against Frankie Lopez". maxboxing.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  14. Ellis, Brock (16 January 2018). "Jai Opetaia recaps swift professional rise, signature 2017 campaign". aus-boxing.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  15. AAP. "Jai Opetaia keeps unbeaten boxing record". sbs.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  16. Rizzuto, Dom (11 April 2018). "Opetaia's rise continues". rabbitohs.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  17. Cocks, Anthony. "Jai Opertaia destroys Kurtis Pegoraro in two on the ingugural FUTR card". maxboxing.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  18. "NEWS: Jai Opetaia takes the win against Navosa Ioata". jolsboxing.home.blog. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  19. Cocks, Anthony. "Rising crusierweight Jai Opetaia dominates Nikolas Charalampous for 18th consecutive victory, Daniel Lewis claims Aussie crown in third bout". maxboxing.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  20. Helmers, Caden (15 November 2019). "Jai Opetaia set to face Mark Flanagan in National Boxing Series launch". canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  21. Helmers, Caden (16 November 2019). "Jai Opetaia makes his mark on a night to remember against Mark Flanagan". canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  22. Bradford, Brendan. "Jai Opetaia looking to continue path to world title against Ben Kelleher". sportingnews.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  23. FNA Staff (23 October 2020). "Boxing: Opetaia vs Kelleher II Results". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  24. Donovan, Jake (13 February 2022). "Mairis Briedis vs. Jai Opetaia IBF Title Fight Set For April 6 In Australia; Venue TBD". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  25. Stumberg, Patrick L. (16 February 2022). "Mairis Briedis comes down with COVID, Jai Opetaia title defense delayed". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  26. "Mairis Briedis-Jai Opetaia Title Fight Rescheduled, May 11 In Australia's Gold Coast". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  27. Stumberg, Patrick L. (8 April 2022). "Jai Opetaia injures ribs, Mairis Briedis fight delayed again". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  28. "Mairis Briedis Vs Jai Opetaia On July 2 In Australia". boxingnews24.com. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  29. Donovan, Jake (2 July 2022). "Jai Opetaia Outboxes Mairis Briedis, Claims Cruiserweight Championship In Upset". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  30. Brunsdon, Simon (2 July 2022). "Ridiculous toughness behind Aussie Jai Opetaia's title win revealed after epic fight". nine.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
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