On Might 18 in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the struggle between Alexander Usik and Tyson Fury, a rematch will happen within the cruiserweight division. 28-year-old Australian Jay Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs) will meet 39-year-old Latvian Mairis Briedis (28-2, 20 KOs).
The vacant IBF belt, beforehand held by Opetaye, will probably be at stake within the confrontation. And with out which he was left because of the truth that he had a earlier struggle in Saudi Arabia towards the mistaken opponent.
Opetaya and Briedis met two years in the past. After this, Mairis didn’t field once more
In 2022, Mairis Briedis held the IBF heavyweight title. At the moment, he misplaced solely as soon as – in 2018 to Alexander Usik.
After that, the Latvian solely beat his opponents. He fought 5 fights and received twice by knockout. Alongside the way in which, Briedis additionally managed to win the second season of the Tremendous Collection and felt fairly comfy. After which Opetaya occurred.
Jay was solely common at house. Had an excellent document, however did not have any actually massive names in it. However this didn’t cease Briedis from not solely giving a struggle, but in addition lighting him up.
Firstly, this confrontation has turn out to be probably the most putting in 2022. Opetaia boxed with a damaged jaw. Based on one model, virtually from the start of the struggle, in response to one other, he obtained it after the center of the struggle. However the truth itself. Jay not solely fought with such a critical damage, but in addition received. Defeated an skilled and highly effective opponent. Even when he caught him on the finish of his profession.
After that, Mairis by no means appeared within the ring. Briedis was concerned in varied issues. For instance, I attempted to get into politics, however selected a quite unusual course. He started to criticize help to Ukraine, saying that it wanted to be redirected in favor of his compatriots. Later the scenario modified, Briedis even got here to Kyiv.
That is all nicely and good, however Opetaia was boxing all this time. Managed to struggle two fights. Not that a lot, however now two fights in a single 12 months is an efficient tempo.
Yet one more factor is necessary – the extent of opposition. Jay first met with the large Briton Jordan Thompson. Virtually two meters tall and really lengthy arms. Fifteen wins, twelve of them by knockout. This didn’t assist the British in any respect.
The Australian flew to the UK and handled the native fighter shortly. Already within the fourth spherical, the left hand flew into the opponent’s head too usually. Thompson conceded too exhausting and the referee couldn’t stand it – he stopped the futile showdown.
The following time Opetaja entered the ring in Saudi Arabia – the identical place the place he’ll struggle in a rematch towards Mairis Briedis. It was deliberate that this could be a title protection and Ellis Zorro was one other undefeated Briton. Nonetheless, later the IBF determined that you just had to decide on right here – both you stay with out the title or refuse the struggle. Opetaya selected the previous.
We will say that Jay received on this scenario. Opetaia did not do a lot within the struggle. He got here out, took goal, and knocked out his opponent shortly. On the identical time, the Australian was remembered. He confirmed himself to be a vibrant boxer who must be referred to as once more. And the Saudis did it.
Now Jay faces a rematch. Did he want it? Hardly. A damaged jaw means nothing apart from that the struggle was intense. Opetaya received.
Did Briedis deserve a title shot instantly? Additionally unlikely. After all, it may be famous that Mairis held this belt in his fingers for a very long time, however a person hasn’t boxed for 2 years and is returning with a title struggle? Controversial determination.
On the identical time, such a struggle is comprehensible. The Saudis want a present. The undercard of the struggle for absolutely the championship ought to look first rate and thrilling. And that is simply such a struggle.
After all, Briedis is already an older boxer. However not a lot that you just lose all the pieces. No less than there’s hope. He undoubtedly has a punch and might attempt to break his opponent at the beginning of the match. And the soiled and provocative issues that Mairis does commonly within the ring are unlikely to go anyplace.
On the identical time, Opetaya is in the perfect interval of her profession. It’s creating, getting higher, however is already common. I even went to Tyson Fury’s coaching camp in preparation for this struggle. However he shortly left there as a result of he didn’t discover the sparring companions he wanted.
After all, there have been legends that Opetaia merely knocked Fury out and the Australian was despatched house. However even Jay’s representatives stated that this was not true. Which implies we are going to imagine them.
Who’s the favourite?
Clearly a younger contender. You’ll be able to wager on Jay Opeta with odds of 1.14. On Mairis Briedis – with odds of 5.60.
I want there was a motive why Briedis ought to win, however there would not appear to be one. Solely theoretical. For instance, Mairis is a very intelligently educated boxer. In his greatest years, he gave essentially the most tough struggle of his profession to Alexander Usik and virtually received. Nonetheless, that was a very long time in the past—as a lot as six years in the past.
If Briedis doesn’t get caught at the start of the assembly, it’s removed from a indisputable fact that, being beneath fixed heavy blows from his opponent, he’ll face up to the complete struggle.
Opetaya just isn’t a high-intensity boxer. He easily approaches his opponent. He works slowly, makes use of drive, appears to be like for weak factors. And as quickly as he finds them, he does all the pieces to not allow them to go.
We’re assured to see an ideal struggle from a late-career veteran towards a strong boxer contending for primary within the cruiserweight division. And maybe we are going to see the primary early defeat within the profession of Mairis Briedis.