Boxing
Who is Jai Opetaia? Introducing the unbeaten Australian targeting Mairis Breidis and cruiserweight glory
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Jai Opetaia is set for the biggest night of his career on Saturday when he takes on IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast.
The fight has been postponed twice due to injuries and COVID-19, but the Australian finally gets his world title shot in front of a home crowd, and expectations will be high against one of the best at 200lbs.
After losing to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018, Briedis has gone on to dominate the cruiserweight division. But if Opetaia can overcome the Latvian, it will be a huge upset. There are endless possibilities for what he can do next, including some substantial unification fights against the likes of WBO champion Lawrence Okolie.
Championships
This fight will be Opetaia’s first shot at a world title, but the 27-year-old has found success at an interim level.
The Australian has fought for the WBO Global, IBF Asia Ocenia, and WBA Oceania cruiserweight titles in the past, but this Briedis will be a huge step-up from those interim title fights.
Biggest win
With just 21 fights on his professional record, Opetaia is continually developing as a professional, but he has had a wealth of amateur experience. The Australian won bronze at the 2012 AIBA World Youth Championships at heavyweight before competing at the 2012 Olympics in London. Unfortunately, Opetaia wasn’t able to get past the first round.
However, his most significant win came in the pro ranks when he fought Germany’s Lukas Paszkowsky for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title in April 2018.
Opetaia was victorious that day, stopping Paszkowsky in round two. This win was Opetaia’s eleventh consecutive stoppage which cemented him as one of the cruiserweight division's hardest hitters.
When is Briedis vs. Opetaia? date, start time
- Date: Saturday, July 2
- Main card: 7 p.m. AEST / 10 a.m. BST / 5 a.m. ET
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 9 p.m. AEST / 12 p.m. BST / 7 a.m. ET
The main card is set to get underway at 7 p.m. AEST / 10 a.m. BST / 5 a.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 9 p.m. AEST / 12 p.m. BST / 7 a.m. ET. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
What channel/stream is Briedis vs. Opetaia?
- AUS: Foxtel PPV
- U.S.: FITE TV, ESPN+
- UK: FITE TV
Fans in Australia can watch the fight on Foxtel PPV for $59.95. FITE TV will broadcast the fight in the U.S. and UK. Also, ESPN+ will air the fight in the U.S.
Where is the Briedis vs. Opetaia fight?
The fight will take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Mairis Briedis record and bio
- Nationality: Latvia
- Date of Birth: January 13, 1985
- Height: 6' 1"
- Reach: 75"
- Total Fights: 29
- Record: 28-1 (20 KOs)
Jai Opetaia Record and Bio
- Nationality: Australia
- Date of Birth: June 30, 1995
- Height: 6' 3"
- Reach: 76"
- Total Fights: 21
- Record: 21-0 (17 KOs)
Briedis vs. Opetaia fight card
- Mairis Briedis vs. Jai Opetaia for Briedis' IBF world cruiserweight title
- Isaac Hardman vs. Beau Hartas; Middleweight
- Dana Coolwell vs. Lorenz Ladrada; Featherweight
- Taylah Robertson vs. Yoselin Rodriguez; Women's super flyweight
- Faris Chevalier vs. Conor Wallace; Light heavyweight
- Joel Camilleri vs. Koen Mazoudier; Super welterweight
- David Nyika vs. Louis Marsters; Cruiserweight
- Austin Aokuso vs. Laurence Titter; Catchweight
- Miles Zalewski vs. Shiva Mishra; Featherweight
