Aussie ‘monster’ Jai Opetaia defends world boxing title in dominant display

Aussie boxing star Jai Opetaia has defended his world title in style, prompting declarations he should be considered a national hero.

Jai Opetaia could soon be the new king of the cruiserweight division. Photo: Fox Sports.

Australian Jai Opetaia has defended his world boxing title in dominant fashion, defeating Jordan Thompson via TKO in London on Sunday morning AEST.

It had been a long time between fights for the 28-year-old after he beat Mairis Briedis in an epic battle on the Gold Coast last year to claim the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles.

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Opetaia shattered his jaw during that fight and after recovering from injury, plans for a rematch with Briedis were scrapped.

But the Aussie showed just why he’s arguably our best boxer at the moment, outclassing Thompson before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round — putting put Thompson out of his misery and Opetaia cornered him against the ropes and sent him to the canvas.

Opetaia went on the attack early and was on another level, hitting the Brit with countless combinations that left him battered and bruised.

The Aussie destroyed Jordan Thompson in four rounds. Photo: Fox Sports.

Opetaia is an absolute boxing beast. Photo: Fox Sports.

Boxing fans praised Opetaia for putting on an absolute clinic.

Main Event’s Ben Damon wrote on X: “Clinical brutality from @jaiopetaia1 who absolutely destroys Jordan Thompson who was hung out to dry by his corner and destroyed.

“Opetaia was already the best cruiserweight on the planet but he has gone to a whole new level.”

The final moments of a massacre #OpetaiaThompsonpic.twitter.com/H46vh6mUhK

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) September 30, 2023

Jai Opetaia is a beast. That’s it. That’s the tweet. #OpetaiaThompson

— Tim Ashworth (@Tim_Ashworth) September 30, 2023

He barely broke a sweat and after taking his undefeated record to 23-0 (18 KOs), Opetaia will now turn his attention to claiming the other belts in the cruiserweight division.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said Opetaia should be considered a “hero” in Australia.

He said: “Over the years we’ve been very lucky to bring some special fighters to this country — Gennady Golovkin, Gervonta Davis, Artur Beterbiev.

“I think this is the guy that’s going to rule the division. I really do. I think he’s a monster. He fought a big guy tonight but he showed levels. He’s a special fighter.

“When you look at Australian boxing, this guy beat the best in the division Mairis Briedis — he should be a hero in his country. I hope people tuning in right now back home start to realise and put some respect on this guy’s name.

“You’ve got Tim Tszyu, who’s a great fighter, but this is a guy that’s done it, beaten champions and I think he can go on and rule the whole division. Honestly, I think he beats every man in the division.”

Originally published as Aussie ‘monster’ Jai Opetaia defends world boxing title in dominant display