Australian boxing news: Brock Jarvis survives second round hammering to win in US debut

WATCH: While it didn’t all go according to plan, Brock Jarvis’ first fight in America was still a resounding success, with the 23-year-old showing great courage to battle back from an early battering.

WEEKEND TELEGRAPH - 25/2/21 *** MUST NOT PUBLISH BEFORE CLEARING WITH ROHAN KELLY ON PIC DESK *** Upcoming Australian boxer Brock Jarvis pictured with trainer and all time boxing great Jeff Fenech at Five Dock today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sydney lightweight boxer Brock Jarvis remains unbeaten after 20 professional fights after triumphing in his American debut in California on Sunday morning (AEST).

Jarvis withstood a barrage of blows from Alejandro Frias Rodriguez in round two before stopping the Mexican in round five.

It prompted leading American promoter Eddie Hearn to post on social media: “What a f****** fight!”

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Brock Jarvis made an instant impression in his US debut.

Victory in Fresno secured Jarvis the IBF inter-continental lightweight championship belt.

Some questioned the stoppage but a clearly dazed Rodriguez collapsed on his stool and spat out his mouth guard after the bout.

“Ref could have let Rodriguez continue but he was done and took three consecutive rounds of beating. Cracking fight. Brock is going to be in some crackers!” Hearn said.

“How did Jarvis make it through that round (two).”

Jarvis’ trainer, boxing hall of famer Jeff Fenech, spoke with News Corp from the US just minutes after the fight.

“To be honest, to cop what he copped in the second round and then to come back and do what he did was amazing,” Fenech said.

“We would have preferred that not to happen in the second round, but that’s boxing. He survived and showed he’s got something special.

“This kid is special. Name me another fighter who could come back from that.”

Jarvis, 23, was part of the Mikey Garcia-Sandor Martin undercard.

During Rodriguez’ round two domination, the referee – with a view to stopping the fight - yelled to Jarvis: “Show me something.”

Jarvis had well and truly regained control of the fight by round four but that didn’t stop Rodriguez’s camp seeking an immediate rematch.

Hailing from the Sutherland Shire, Jarvis has already been asked to remain in America and fight on the Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos undercard on November 27.

Fenech and Jarvis will decide whether to take up the offer inside the next week.

“We will see what happens. We will see how Brock pulls up,” Fenech said.

Aussie boxer lands shot at world title bout

- Jamie Pandaram

Jai Opetaia is set to challenge for the first major world title fight held in Australia since Jeff Horn defeated Manny Pacquiao in front of 51,000 delirious fans.

The IBF has mandated Central Coast’s Opetaia to fight cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis by April 14, 2022, however negotiations are being held to stage the fight in late January-early February.

Australian boxer Jai Opetaia.

Briedis defends his belt in an optional defence against Artur Mann in his native Latvia this weekend, having not fought for a year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

However, even if Mann were to pull off a monumental upset, the IBF have issued a statement confirming the undefeated Opetaia (20-0, 16KO) will face the winner.

“This is what I’ve been working towards for my whole life, I’m finally going to tick the box,” Opetaia said.

“People are excited about getting a world title shot. But I’m going in there to win, not just participate.

“I’m bringing the belt home.

“Hopefully that fight can happen in Sydney, with the Covid stuff going on, the closer to home the better.”

Opetaia’s promoter Dean Lonergan – who staged the Horn vs Pacquiao event at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 – is confident of landing the bout here.

Jeff Horn (2nd R) of Australia celebrates beating Manny Pacquiao (L).

“Our initial discussions with Briedis’ promoter Wasserman suggests they would be happy to come to Australia if all the conditions are right.

“Team Opetaia, myself and Fox Sports all want that fight in Australia as well. We haven’t had a major world title fight in Australia since Jeff Horn versus Manny Pacquiao and then Horn defended his title in Brisbane against Gary Corcoran.

“We expect to be fighting Briedis. We’re looking at late January or early February, but it has to suit Wasserman and Briedis.

“Our experience with the Manny Pacquiao fight was that it took months and months to get over the line so it takes patience.”

Briedis (27-1, 19KO) was supposed to defend his belt against IBF No. 2 Michal Cieslak, but the Polish fighter is mired in a contractual wrangle between two promoters and has not been able to secure a release to fight.

Opetaia, the No. 3, and his team then lobbied to become the mandatory challenger and the IBF has now confirmed he is to be granted a title shot “no later than April 14” next year.

Jai Opetaia punches Ben Kelleher.

Having recovered successfully from a hand injury that had hampered his career for five years, 26-year-old Opetaia has moved camp to the Gold Coast

“I had forgotten what it was like to have a hand feel this good, every time I’ve sparred there is no swelling,” Opetaia said.

“Before this, when I would spar I would end up sparring on one hand or stopping it altogether because of the throbbing and pain, but now it’s the best it has ever been.”

Opetaia is planning to have a tune-up fight in December before the expected Briedis showdown, and warned: “By the time that fight comes around I will be the fittest I’ve ever been.

“Just talking about that world title fight in the last two days, my training has gone to a new level of intensity. I am pushing my body to its limits.”

Originally published as Australian boxing news: Brock Jarvis survives second round hammering to win in US debut