- Jai Opetaia has been stripped of his world title
- He fights in Saudi Arabia this weekend
- But he had to fight his mandatory challenger
A frustrated Jai Opetaia has confirmed he will give up his IBF world title to fight Ellis Zorro on a 'life-changing' boxing card from Saudi Arabia.
The undefeated Australian cruiserweight (23-0) had filed for waivers on Saturday for a voluntary defense against Englishman Zorro on a reported $680,000 Riyadh payday.
Heavyweight clashes between Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin, as well as New Zealander Joseph Parker and American star Deontay Wilder, headline a card being called one of the deepest in the sport.
But the IBF demanded Opetaia next fight Latvian mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis, rejected his wishes and ordered the NSW product to abandon the fight or vacate the belt.
That's despite Briedis, who is currently injured and hasn't fought since being defeated by Opetaia last July, allowing Opetaia to fight Zorro first.
Australian boxer Jai Opetaia has vacated his IBF world title in search of a big payday
The former world champion had to defend his title against a mandatory opponent
The pair were set to fight again in February once Briedis was healthy, but that fight has now been scrapped, leaving Opetaia with just the Ring belt and a reputation as the division's No. 1 talent.
Opetaia broke his jaw in two places en route to a win over Briedis and has only defended his title once since, dominating Jordan Thompson in London in September.
That fight also required an IBF waiver after challengers Mateusz Masternak of Poland and England's Richard Riakporhe both avoided Opetaia in the final stages of negotiations.
“I fought through absolute pain to win that title and it makes me sad to give it up,” the 27-year-old said.
“But the fact is that Briedis is not ready to fight on December 23 and I have to stay active.
'I just can't turn down a high-pay day in my career.
“Belts must be won and lost in the ring and I am still the Ring Magazine Champion and all roads in the cruiserweight division run through me.”
Mick Francis, the manager of Gold Coast-based Opetaia, has spent the past two weeks fighting for a compromise with the IBF – one of the sport's four internationally recognized bodies – before relenting on Monday.
Francis also argued that IBF rules should have seen Briedis removed as a mandatory challenger and taken out of the organization's top 15 as he had been inactive for more than twelve months.
“There are rules for some people and there are rules for others,” Francis told AAP.
'They (the IBF) will not give in to their current champion. Very disappointing, but it is what it is.
'There's an old saying that you can't eat trophies. Jai cannot refuse the life-changing money offered for the Zorro fight and we need the activity.”
Opetaia's path after the Zorro fight has been clouded given the willingness of his main rivals to avoid the Australian.
Masternak broke off negotiations to instead pursue England's Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO title, with the Pole throwing in the towel after seven rounds in that match earlier this month.
Riakporhe has now called up Billam-Smith for an all-England WBO title fight.
Opetaia will be featured on the blockbuster card with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said the IBF's decision lacked common sense.
“Belts are important, but… you can't stand in the way of what's fair and opportunities like this,” he said.
“Stick with the Ring Magazine Championship and try to win another one in the next fight.
“This is an opportunity that will change Jai Opetaia's life forever and let's not get it twisted, that is the ultimate goal in this sport, to ensure fighters leave the sport healthy and financially secure.”