In a night that promised fireworks in the world of British cruiserweight boxing, Jai Opetaia delivered an explosive performance to retain his IBF and Ring Magazine titles with a brutal fourth-round stoppage of challenger Jordan Thompson in London.
The showdown took place at Wembley’s OVO Arena, but from the opening bell, it was clear that Thompson, 30, was facing an uphill battle. Opetaia, the 28-year-old Australian champion, wasted no time asserting his dominance, and the fight took a dramatic turn in the third round when Thompson was knocked down.
Opetaia continued to land powerful shots, and it seemed inevitable that Thompson was on the verge of another knockdown when the referee decided to halt the contest.
In the post-fight interview, Opetaia couldn’t contain his excitement, stating, “I thought this fight night was made about Jordan Thompson. They put me in this small ring thinking they were going to cut me off. I’ve got good footwork, and they put me in this little ring, but I’ve got the power too, and they underestimated that, and this is what happens.”
This defeat marked the first loss in Thompson’s professional career, coming in his 16th fight, while Opetaia, with his 23rd consecutive win, solidified his status as an undefeated champion.
The fight, despite its high stakes, had a relatively low-key atmosphere in London, with the top section of the arena closed and some empty seats. This could have been due to another boxing event featuring British fighter Caroline Dubois taking place at London’s York Hall on the same evening.
Thompson, sporting a regal blue and gold robe, made an entertaining ring entrance, rapping along to his music and trying to pump up the crowd. On the other hand, Opetaia, of Samoan heritage, entered the ring with a determined look, and the Australian and Samoan national anthems were beautifully sung by his cousin, opera singer Benson Wilson.
From the outset, Opetaia displayed his dominance, using his powerful southpaw backhand effectively. In the first round, he landed a left hook that staggered Thompson, signaling his intention to finish the fight early.
Thompson showed resilience and fought back valiantly, even landing a one-two in the third round that briefly raised hopes of a turnaround. However, this only seemed to motivate Opetaia, who unleashed a barrage of punches, ultimately dropping Thompson.
As the ringside spectators anticipated Thompson’s corner to throw in the towel, he managed to survive another round, but his defeat appeared inevitable.
Opetaia, after the fight, expressed his joy, saying, “I’m so happy I got this fight underway. I’ve been waiting for it for a long time. Going to get some beers and burgers.”
While it may not have been the career-defining night that Thompson had hoped for, his journey in the sport, from debuting in a hotel in Greater Manchester to becoming European champion and challenging for a world title, is still impressive. However, on this night, he was simply outclassed by the champion Opetaia, who showcased his world-class skills despite 14 months of inactivity due to injuries and legal battles.
Opetaia, relatively unknown outside of Australia, used this fight to introduce himself to a wider audience in style. He could be set for a rematch with three-time cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis, who was ringside, or even a showdown with British world champion Chris Billam-Smith.
“I come to earn respect, not to disrespect,” Opetaia emphasized. “Chris Billam-Smith, I’d love to make that happen. I want that WBO around my waist.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn chimed in, hinting at a potential unification clash between Billam-Smith and Opetaia in 2024, adding an extra layer of excitement to the cruiserweight division.
In the world of boxing, surprises and drama are never far away, and Jai Opetaia’s explosive victory over Jordan Thompson added another thrilling chapter to the sport’s history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Boxing Championship
Q: Who won the fight between Jai Opetaia and Jordan Thompson?
A: Jai Opetaia emerged victorious, retaining his IBF and Ring Magazine titles with a fourth-round stoppage win over Jordan Thompson.
Q: How did the fight unfold?
A: The fight started with Opetaia asserting his dominance, and Thompson was knocked down in the third round. Opetaia continued to land powerful shots, leading to the referee halting the contest in the fourth round.
Q: Was this Jordan Thompson’s first loss as a professional boxer?
A: Yes, this defeat marked Jordan Thompson’s first loss in his 16th professional fight.
Q: What’s next for Jai Opetaia after this win?
A: Opetaia could potentially face a rematch with three-time cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis, who was in attendance, or target a showdown with British world champion Chris Billam-Smith.
Q: How was the atmosphere at the fight in London?
A: The atmosphere was relatively low-key, with some empty seats in the arena. This might have been influenced by another boxing event featuring Caroline Dubois taking place on the same evening.
Q: What makes Jai Opetaia stand out as a champion?
A: Opetaia showcased his world-class skills, combining technical ability with punching power, even after 14 months of inactivity due to injuries and legal battles.
Q: How did Jordan Thompson get into boxing?
A: Jordan Thompson took up boxing at the age of 18 as a way to earn money after his budding tennis career didn’t pan out. His journey has been impressive, from debuting in a hotel in Greater Manchester to challenging for a world title.
Q: What did Jai Opetaia say after the fight?
A: Opetaia expressed his happiness at finally getting the fight underway and mentioned his desire to earn respect in the boxing world. He also expressed interest in facing Chris Billam-Smith for the WBO title.
Q: Could there be a unification clash in the cruiserweight division involving Jai Opetaia?
A: Yes, there’s the possibility of a unification clash between Jai Opetaia and Chris Billam-Smith in 2024, adding excitement to the cruiserweight division.
Q: How many wins does Jai Opetaia have in his professional career?
A: Jai Opetaia extended his undefeated record to 23 straight wins with this victory over Jordan Thompson.
More about Boxing Championship
- [Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson Fight Highlights](insert link)
- [Jai Opetaia’s Profile](insert link)
- [Jordan Thompson’s Profile](insert link)
- [Caroline Dubois Boxing Event](insert link)
- [Mairis Briedis](insert link)
- [Chris Billam-Smith](insert link)
- [IBF Cruiserweight Title](insert link)
- [Ring Magazine Championship](insert link)
- [Boxing News](insert link)
