Boxing Mar 12, 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

Claressa Shields never expected to become heavyweight champion but it has secured her place 'amongst the greats'

Claressa Shields never expected to become heavyweight champion but it has secured her place 'amongst the greats'

Claressa Shields has secured her place in boxing history.A decade ago she became the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic gold medals.As a...

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominates Mario Barrios in unanimous decision win and calls out Shakur Stevenson

Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios on Saturday night to win by unanimous decision and capture the WBC welterweight championship.Garcia (25-2, 20 knoc...

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is favourite and why is fight happening in 2026 in Las Vegas?

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is favourite and why is fight happening in 2026 in Las Vegas?

On Monday, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao stunned the boxing world by announcing a professional rematch - 11 years after their first bout.Mayweat...

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor: Irish boxing icon to retire after final fight this summer and hopeful farewell will take place at Croke Park

Katie Taylor has announced she plans to retire following a summer fight in Dublin.Taylor, 39, retained her undisputed world super lightweight title af...

Floyd Mayweather coming out of retirement to return to professional boxing after exhibition fight with Mike Tyson in April

Floyd Mayweather coming out of retirement to return to professional boxing after exhibition fight with Mike Tyson in April

Floyd Mayweather, who will turn 49 later this month, has announced he is coming out of retirement after his fight with Mike Tyson in April. Following...

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley to offer Tyson Fury a shot at his WBO world heavyweight championship if he retains against Daniel Dubois

Fabio Wardley has called for a heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury before the end of the year, as long as he makes a successful defence of the WBO wo...