Current world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia brings an exciting style and big personality to his division.
Currently with a professional record of 27-0, the Australian has been nothing short of impressive in his career thus far.
Taking on Claudio Squeo on June 8th, 2025, Opetaia will look to defend his IBF World Cruiserweight title for the third time, in his second reign.
However, in order to become a world champion, Opetaia had to overcome the odds.
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Jai Opetaia won world title against Mairis Briedis despite broken jaw
After winning 21 fights in a row to open his career, Opetaia was permitted the opportunity to fight for a world title. In July 2022, he would take on Latvian fighter Mairis Briedis.
Briedis was then the holder of the IBF World Cruiserweight title, with a professional record of 28-1. His sole loss came to Oleksandr Usyk in January 2018.
Fighting in Queensland, Australia, Opetaia would go into his first world opportunity as an underdog, given the experience and pedigree of Briedis.
The Australian would be able to prove the bookmakers wrong in the fight. However, Opetaia had to overcome a broken jaw in the fight.
With his jaw breaking on both sides, the damage was significant on the face of the title challenger. Despite this, he would fight all 12 rounds of the fight, winning via unanimous decision.
In his in-ring interview, Opetaia was unable to speak due to the damage around his mouth. However, his trainer said that the jaw was broken in the second round.
Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis rematched in 2024 for vacant world title
After the IBF World Cruiserweight title became vacant in 2023, it would be contested once again between Opetaia and Briedis in May 2024.
Fighting their sequel bout in Saudi Arabia, Opetaia would once again be able to get the better of his Latvian rival.
Their rematch would again see both men have success in the bout. However, it would be Opetaia who became a two-time world cruiserweight champion.
The Australian would defend his world title against Jack Massey in October 2024, before Opetaia stopped David Nyika in January 2025.