Australia has a new boxing world champ as Jai Opetaia wins ‘incredible’ cruiserweight title fight

Australia has a new boxing world champion after Jai Opetaia showed insane toughness to win an “incredible” title fight.

Jai Opetaia (left) lands a punch on Mairis Briedis during the IBF cruiserweight title fight. (Photo by Peter Wallis/Getty Images)

Australia has a new boxing world champion.

Jai Opetaia has stunned the boxing world, producing a huge upset over Mairis Briedis to win their IBF cruiserweight world title fight on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The epic fight went the distance, but Opetaia prevailed via unanimous decision (116-112 x 2, 115-113) to claim the belt.

The 27-year-old came out firing and put on a clinic to gain the upper hand in the early rounds of the bout.

Watch Jai Opetaia v Mairis Briedis battle for the IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Titles. Saturday 2 July from 7PM AEST LIVE with Main Event on Kayo Sports & Foxtel. ORDER NOW >

But while Opetaia appeared to go from strength to strength early in the fight, it was revealed afterwards he had broken his jaw in the second round.

Opetaia went on the attack as he battered Briedis, leaving the Latvian with a cut above his right eye after the opening round.

The Australian kept hammering away and landed a brutal right uppercut to Brieidis’ jaw at the end of the fourth round, leaving him so dazed he went to the wrong corner with a bloody nose.

Main Event commentator Ben Damon said: “The uppercut sailed through and did damage and busted the nose of the champ Mairis Briedis, who didn’t know where he was.

“The champion looks flustered as blood courses from his nose. Opetaia is boxing a clinic.”

Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech added: “He’s more than flustered. He doesn’t know where he is at the moment.”

Jai Opetaia landed a massive uppercut in the fourth. Photo: Fox Sports

Briedis was marked but kept punching. Photo: Fox Sports

Somehow Briedis recovered as the fight turned into a classic with both boxers exchanging heavy blows and proving they have chins of granite.

The 37-year-old rallied and landed some huge uppercuts that did serious damage to Opetaia’s already-busted jaw.

Damon described Opetaia’s jaw as “badly disfigured”, while Fenech added: “That granite jaw might be broken.”

Damon later tweeted: “Ringside doctor believes Jai Opetaia suffered a ‘bilateral mandibular fracture’ (fractured jaw on both sides) likely in round 2 and 11.

“Will clearly need surgery. Mairis Briedis has visited the new champion’s dressing room to congratulate him and ask for a rematch.”

Jai Opetaia looks like he had a broken jaw. Photo: Fox Sports

“He has shown himself to be otherworldly tough. He still didn’t go down.” Damon said.

“This is an epic fight. An incredible battle. An absolute war between two warriors here on the Gold Coast.”

A jubilant Opetaia couldn’t speak after the fight and his trainer Mark Wilson revealed he broke his jaw in the second round.

Gracious in defeat, Briedis went to pay his respects to Opetaia after the fight and revealed Opetaia also broke his nose, saying “it’s one-one”.

He said he was sick in the lead up but fistbumped Opetaia and hinted he would welcome a rematch.

Jai Opetaia is the champion of the world. Photo: Fox Sports

Opetaia couldn't speak. Photo: Fox Sports

Opetaia becomes the first Australian to become world champion since Jeff Horn in 2017.

It’s also the heaviest division Australia has ever held a world title belt.

It came exactly five years to the day that Jeff Horn defeated Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium.

Horn said: “I’m so excited for him, I feel like I’m shaking. It brings me back five years ago and winning the title and I’m so happy for him.

“He was a teammate of mine in 2012 (at the Olympics), he’s such a skilful guy and he showed that tonight. He did absolutely awesome. I’m very proud of him like everyone else is as well.”

The boxing world was quick to heap praise on Opetaia’s herculean effort.

Australian boxing great Barry Michael said: “Mairis Briedis is a superb world champion with dynamite in both hands and we’ve seen that. And he’s beat him with a busted jaw.

“Phenomenal, great story. It’s life changing what this man has just done. It’s life changing for him, but it’s going to become legendary in Australian sport.”

Pretty badass win for Jai Opetaia. Took on *the* champ in his first world-title challenge and beat him with the jaw hanging off him like it was Day 4 of Glastonbury. Good fighter, the Aussies are flying!

— Gavan Casey (@GavanCasey) July 2, 2022

Twelve rounds done. Hell of a fight! Briedis left it all in the ring especially in the final round, but Opetaia remains upright and makes it to the bell. If any of the earlier rounds went to Briedis, scorecards could be interesting. #BriedisOpetaia

— Jake Donovan (@JakeNDaBox) July 2, 2022

WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie was clearly watching with interest, declaring he is eager to take on Opetaia once his jaw has recovered.

Okolie tweeted: “He’s gotta enjoy tht (sic) belts but OMG, what a fight had just been set up. Imma show Briedis how it’s f***ing done.”