Mairis Briedis and Jai Opetaia squared off in the main event at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, QLD on Saturday, July 2. The contest featured three-time cruiserweight champion of Latvia defending his IBF belt against undefeated mandatory challenger of Australia.
The scheduled for twelve rounds world championship went a full distance and produced fireworks. In the end, two judges scored the fight 116-112 and one judge had it 115-113, all in favor of the representative of the country-host.
OPETAIA BEATS BRIEDIS via UD??? He outboxed and beat up the cruiserweight king, showing a great chin too as Briedis came on strong in the late rounds ?? This clip is from Round 4 where Opetaia hurt Briedis with a beautiful corkscrew uppercut ??? #BriedisOpetaia #Boxing pic.twitter.com/g3TdWP0Y4J
— No Nonsense Boxing (@NNBoxing) July 2, 2022
With the victory by unanimous decision Opetaia, who has reportedly got his jaw broken, improves to 22-0, 17 KOs, remains undefeated and becomes a new IBF cruiserweight champion. Briedis, whose nose appeared to be broken, drops to 28-2, 20 KOs and fails the second defense of the belt.
Jai Opetaia #AndTheNew #BriedisOpetaia #Boxing pic.twitter.com/WZWZzRId8i
— Godchenko (@Godchenko) July 2, 2022
Get Briedis vs Opetaia full fight card results.
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