OPETAIA SUES IBF TO RECOVER STRIPPED CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE

Boxer Jai Opetaia has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Nevada against the IBF, seeking to force the sanctioning body to reinstate his cruiserweight world title. Opetaia claims the IBF acted unlawfully when it stripped him of the belt following his first fight with promotional outfit Zuffa Boxing. The lawsuit requests reinstatement of the title, recovery of damages and legal costs, and an injunction preventing the IBF from naming another cruiserweight champion whilst litigation continues. The IBF declined to comment beyond stating it would release a statement when appropriate.

The dispute centres on Opetaia's March fight against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas whilst signed to Zuffa Boxing, the new promotion launched by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi Arabian-owned Sela and American company TKO. The IBF initially approved the bout, accepted a $73,000 sanctioning fee and appointed an official to oversee it, before withdrawing its sanction less than 48 hours before fight night. The complaint alleges the IBF later treated the contest as a title unification because Zuffa Boxing was also introducing an inaugural cruiserweight championship belt that night. Opetaia disputes this interpretation, arguing the IBF had already accepted the Zuffa belt was merely a "trophy or token of recognition" rather than a championship of another sanctioning body.

The 19-page complaint names representatives from the WBC, WBA and WBO, alleging rival governing bodies discouraged champions from facing Opetaia after his title strip. The complaint cites David Benavidez's decision not to pursue a fight and alleges the WBC threatened to strip Noel Mikaelian if he agreed to face the Australian. BBC Sport has contacted the WBC, WBA and WBO for comment.