Boxing Apr 02, 2026

Jai Opetaia wins Zuffa world cruiserweight championship and now determined to unify the division

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Jai Opetaia wins Zuffa world cruiserweight championship and now determined to unify the division

Jai Opetaia breezed past Brandon Glanton to become the inaugural Zuffa world cruiserweight champion with a unanimous-decision win in Nevada.

All three judges scored the fight 119-106 in the Australian's favour as he extended his unbeaten record as a professional to 30-0 in his first fight in the United States.

Opetaia could be stripped of the IBF cruiserweight championship after that body refused to sanction this latest bout but he is aiming to unify the division, saying afterwards: "I'm chasing the belts.

"I know there's been a lot of white noise and stuff, a lot of stuff on social media, but I'm just hoping it gets worked out and we can still chase that goal.

"I have not lost track of it. I've been stripped once before. I've been stripped again. I'll get the belt back, and I'll become undisputed."

Although Opetaia was unable to add to his 23 career knockout victories, he dominated Glanton with powerful shots - uppercuts proving particularly effective.

Glanton was deducted points in rounds six and eight for holding and low blows as he struggled to land any meaningful offensive strikes.

To his credit, Glanton refused to buckle and came through a potent left hand in the final round to avoid the knockout before suffering his fourth career defeat.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Tyson Fury to train himself for Arslanbek Makhmudov comeback fight: 'That might be the end. I might retire again!'

Tyson Fury to train himself for Arslanbek Makhmudov comeback fight: 'That might be the end. I might retire again!'

Tyson Fury is returning to boxing for what could be the final run of his celebrated career.He will box hard-punching contender Arslanbek Makhmudov on...

Moses Itauma would 'love a shot' at Oleksandr Usyk, but why would he want to fight a 21-year-old?

Moses Itauma would 'love a shot' at Oleksandr Usyk, but why would he want to fight a 21-year-old?

Rising heavyweight phenom Moses Itauma would welcome a fight with the best in the division, Oleksandr Usyk.But Itauma, only 21 years old and already t...

Tyson Fury: Oleksandr Usyk will be begging me for trilogy by end of year! 'Without belts, I'm still the man'

Tyson Fury: Oleksandr Usyk will be begging me for trilogy by end of year! 'Without belts, I'm still the man'

Tyson Fury believes he will set a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk before the year is out.Fury and Usyk have met in two memorable heavyweight contests,...

Manny Pacquiao announces another return with 10-round exhibition against Ruslan Provodnikov

Manny Pacquiao announces another return with 10-round exhibition against Ruslan Provodnikov

Manny Pacquiao has confirmed he will take on Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition match on April 18 at Thomas and Mack Center in L...

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominates Franchon Crews-Dezurn again in Detroit to remain undisputed heavyweight champion

Claressa Shields dominated Franchon Crews-Dezurn with a lopsided unanimous decision on Sunday night in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed...

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight could still happen | 'That's all about timing,' says promoter Frank Warren

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight could still happen | 'That's all about timing,' says promoter Frank Warren

There was a plan for Tyson Fury to fight Anthony Joshua later this year after both had warm-up bouts first.That of course was shelved after Joshua was...