07-01-2022, 05:27 PM
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Briedis/Opetaia. SKY. Sat. Nite. Free
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07-01-2022, 05:28 PM
It's on Channel 50 from 8PM on Saturday nite. It's during the All Blacks game but you can tape it.
07-01-2022, 05:31 PM
Aussie birthday boy ‘ready for war’ in world title bout with ‘Crocodile Dundee’ world champ
After a frustrating wait, rising Australian star Jai Opetaia and Latvian world champ Mairis Briedis will finally get in the ring together on Saturday night. And promoter Dean Lonergan declared at Thursday’s press conference that fight will be: “one of the all-time great fights we see here in Australia, with two guys who don’t take a backwards step. I think it’ll be an all-time war. I think you’re going to see a lot of blood, a lot of gore. And you’re going to see some amazing boxing skills … it’ll be something special.” Opetaia, 27 years old today, was originally scheduled to face Briedis — who holds the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles — in April before the Latvian tested positive to Covid. Another date was set for May, but a rib injury and another bout of surgery for Briedis forced another delay. But the long-awaited bout is finally here and it’s a huge opportunity for Opetaia (21-0, 17KO), who is rated a $2.70 outsider against Briedis (28-1, 20KO), whose only professional career loss came against current world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Opetaia declared: “I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity. Man, I can’t wait! I feel ready. I know he’s a great fighter, but I’m a new generation of great coming through. All he’s done, that’s all in the past now. It’s my time.” He continued: “I know this is a big step up from my past competition. My last fights I blew them out of the water... I was levels above...I’m ready to become a world champion” And he predicts it will be a vicious, tough battle, saying: “I’m ready for those deep waters. I’m ready to dig deep... I know this is going to be a war and I’m ready for it.” 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 > “I think this is going to be an absolute war,” promoter Dean Lonergan declared at the press conference. “Jai is incredibly hungry. It has been feeding him for the last six months.” Dean Lonergan declared Opetaia the “toughest boxer in Australia,” if not the toughest sportsman in Australia, given the brutal run of injuries he has had to overcome. “It’s as big a test as he can possibly have,” he added. “He’s hungry enough to do it, he’s got the skill-set to do it.” “I’ve done a few fights with Don King, but that was one hell of a speech there,” Briedis’ world-renowned promoter Kalle Sauerland joked in reply. “I feel like we can already pack up, leave the belt, and go home.” He said 37-year-old Briedis had “done it the hard way,” coming from the small country of Latvia to become a world champion. “We’re talking about a guy with pedigree. When we talk about pedigree, this is a three-time world champion … And I can assure you, the belly is very empty and he’s still raring to go.” “He’s here to take care of business then we go off and unify (the belts) again,” he added, declaring Opetaia’s move too big of a step up in class, and one destined to fail. “I totally agree with Dean on one thing – this will not go the 12 rounds.” Briedis arrived at the press conference wearing a hat that looked straight out of the Crocodile Dundee film, which was apparently a nod to the real-life inspiration for Paul Hogan’s iconic Mick Dundee character. Briedis’ manager Raimonds Zeps said: “the hat, it’s not bulls**t,” referencing the story of Latvian-born soldier Arvid Blumenthal, who emigrated to Australia and became an opal miner then – according to urban legend – hunted up to 40,000 crocodiles to earn the nickname 'Crocodile Harry'. Asked about Opetaia’s prediction of a ‘war’, Briedis replied softly: “war is too loud.” “I understand what they mean about war. I don’t know how I feel in the ring, how he feels in the ring. As Mike Tyson said, ‘All the plans change after one punch to the head.’” But, he said: “I hope we show all the world - and all the world speak about this fight and enjoy this fight.” “This is Jai’s breakthrough fight,” Lonergan said yesterday. “Every fighter has one fight that puts them into the consciousness of boxing fans, and this is it for Jai.” Opetaia’s manager since 2017, Michael Francis, labelled it “will no doubt be the biggest card of the year.” “He’s the real deal … you’re going to see a new champion come Saturday night.”
07-01-2022, 05:36 PM
Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
Australia Main Event cruiser Mairis Briedis 28 1 0 S 12 Jai Opetaia 21 0 0 International Boxing Federation World Cruiser Title (supervisor: Ben Keilty) super welter Joel Camilleri 22 7 1 S 10 Koen Mazoudier 9 2 0 World Boxing Association Oceania Super Welter Title light heavy Faris Chevalier 13 1 0 S 10 Conor Wallace 8 1 0 World Boxing Association Oceania Light Heavy Title vacant International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific Light Heavy Title (supervisor: Ben Keilty) middle Issac Hardman 12 1 0 S 10 Beau Hartas 6 1 0 super fly Taylah Robertson 5 1 0 S 10x2 Yoselin Fernandez 11 1 0 feather Dana Coolwell 7 2 0 S 8 Lorenz Ladrada 11 2 1 feather Miles Zalewski 10 2 0 S 4 Shiva Mishra 8 5 0 cruiser David Nyika 3 0 0 S ? Louis Marsters 1 2 0 Austin Aokuso 4 0 0 S ? Laurence Titter 2 0 0
07-01-2022, 07:31 PM
07-02-2022, 12:53 AM
Briedis, Opetaia make weight
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing Mairis Briedis 199 vs. Jai Opetaia 198.5 (IBF cruiserweight title) Venue: Gold Coast Convention Center, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. Promoter: Wasserman Boxing, Dean Lonergan TV: Foxtel Main Event (Australia), ESPN+ (US)
07-03-2022, 01:18 PM
Opetaia dethrones Briedis
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing Undefeated IBF #3 cruiserweight Jai Opetaia (22-0, 17 KOs) captured the IBF cruiserweight championship from Maris Breidis (29-2, 20 KOs) with a comprehensive twelve round unanimous decision. Opetaia, who suffered a broken jaw during the bout, won by scores of 116-112, 115-113, 116-112 on Saturday at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia televised on Foxtel Main Event and Kayo Sports Pay-Per-View and ESPN+ in the USA. Opetaia boxing from the southpaw stance and using good mobility scored with effective jabs. Breidis was aggressive and connected with head and body shots. Breidis suffered a cut over the right eye in round one. Opetaia stepped up a gear in round four and connected with solid uppercuts that hurt the champion. Breidis having trouble connecting against the fleet-footed challenger. The Australian was the aggressor in round six as the champion was holding on. Breidis had good moments in round seven landing solid head shots but Opetaia responded with accurate combinations. Breidis was bleeding profusely. Opetaia and Breidis both connected with solid punches in round nine but the challenger looked fresher. Breidis landed bombs on Opetaia in round ten, but the Aussie remains on the balls of his feet as he weathered the storm. Breidis desperately attacked in the championship rounds. He and Opetaia swapped power shots in round eleven and in round twelve both champion and challenger were visibly tired but throwing bombs at the final bell.
07-03-2022, 01:22 PM
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