Jai Opetaia Stripped Once Again

The IBF has declared its cruiserweight world title vacant, stripping Jai Opetaia.

The decision stems from Opetaia’s participation in the Zuffa Boxing 04 main event on March 8, a bout the IBF deemed an “unsanctioned contest.” Despite the Aussie’s victory in the ring, he now finds himself without the IBF belt for the second time. The IBF had originally granted a conditional sanction for Opetaia’s defense against Brandon Glanton.

This was based on written assurances from Opetaia’s camp that any Zuffa-branded belt would be treated merely as a “trophy or token of recognition.” However, the bout was promoted as being for the “Zuffa World Cruiserweight Championship.”

The IBF determined this was a breach of their terms, as they do not recognize the Zuffa belt as a legitimate world title. The IBF withdrew its sanction, as any champion who participates in an unapproved bout within their weight class must vacate their title.

The Controversy

“The bout sanction followed discussions that began on February 11, when IBF President Daryl Peoples, after learning about the scheduled contest on social media, reminded Opetaia’s representatives of IBF Rule 5 governing champions and unification bouts. Michael (Mick) Francis, head of Tasman Fighters, Opetaia’s promoter of record with the IBF, followed with an application requesting sanction for the optional defense of the IBF Cruiserweight title.

“The IBF denied sanction of the bout pursuant to IBF Rule 5.E.2, which states: “For the purpose of unification of titles, the preeminent Champions of the World Boxing Association (‘WBA’), the World Boxing Council (‘WBC’), and the World Boxing Organization (‘WBO’) may be designated as ‘elite contenders’ and may be permitted to fight for the unified title.

“Francis then requested that the committee reconsider its decision, noting that the bout would not be for unification, but the Zuffa title would be contested alongside the IBF title in the same manner that the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title has been contested in bouts involving IBF champions. Peoples explained that the IBF recognizes the IBO and added that like the other sanctioning organizations operating in U.S. professional boxing, it is subject to the same federal regulatory framework governing sanctioning bodies. Sanction remained denied.”