'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Australian boxer Jai Opetaia is one of the top talents in the cruiserweight division. The IBF champion has been undefeated in all his 25 fights, with 19 of those wins coming via knockout.
Interestingly, the top-flight cruiserweight had to part with the IBF title last year after his lucrative Middle Eastern fight deal led to a disagreement with the licensing body.
He, however, reclaimed the belt earlier this May and is now set to take on Jack Massey, this Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But how much did the Saudis pay him that made him readily part with a world title in 2023? Let us take a look.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
How much did Jai Opetaia make against Ellis Zorro?
In 2023, Jai Opetaia signed a two-fight deal with the Saudis, with the potential to extend it for a third fight down the line. The southpaw is expected to rack in around $2 million during the course of the deal.
The same year, the 29-year-old was all set to fight on the star-studded 'Day of Reckoning' fight card alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Dmitry Bivol.
However, Opetaia's plans to fight the then-undefeated Ellis Zorro were met with heavy resistance by the IBF. They insisted that he face his mandatory challenger, Mairis Briedis.
The Australian had already defeated Briedis the previous year. Moreover, Breidis, who was nursing an injury at the time had agreed to step aside to facilitate the Zorro bout.
Regardless, the IBF was strict in its policies and demanded Opetaia to wait for his mandatory.
Check out Jai Opetaia's comments on vacating the IBF belt below:
This led the boxer to relinquish the title for a career-high payday against Zorro. Per a report by FOX Sports, he has earned upwards of $680,000 for the fight, in which he won via first-round KO.
Watch the highlights of Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro below:
The pugilist had previously hinted that his Saudi deal might include world title fights and sure enough in his very next fight, Opetaia won back his IBF strap with a unanimous decision win over Briedis.
The Sydney resident had recently stated his desire to achieve undisputed status in the division, before moving up to heavyweight. Hence, if he emerges victorious this weekend, Opetaia might go after the other title holders at cruiserweight in his future fights.
