Having defeated him in a brutal 12-round war to become world champion, Jai Opetaia now looks set to rematch Mairis Briedis in his first title defence.
The update comes after a second mandatory challenger pulled out of negotiations for a fight with the Australian IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world champion.
Opetaia and his team were left frustrated on Tuesday as undefeated Englishman Richard Riakporhe withdrew from a potential bout just hours before it was due to go to a purse bid.
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That followed Polish number one contender Mateusz Masternak pulling out of negotiations with Opetaia back in June.
Now, more than 12 months on from his win over Latvia’s Briedis, the Aussie southpaw has been ordered to face the former champion yet again.
Bring it on. I’m ready. https://t.co/yomYv9BgR8
— Jai Opetaia (@jaiopetaia1) August 9, 2023
Matt Clark, matchmaker at Opetaia’s co-promoter Tasman Fighters, revealed the parties have until September 8 to work out a deal or the bout will go to a purse bid.
Tasman Fighters and Matchroom Boxing, who represent the 28-year-old southpaw, will no doubt be keen to bring the fight to Australia and showcase Opetaia in front of his home crowd.
If the fight is anything like the first time they met, both men can expect to have to go through the fire yet again.
While he did have his hand raised at the end of the night on the Gold Coast last July, Opetaia finished the fight with a badly broken jaw which kept him out of the gym for several months.
Briedis didn’t come away unscathed either, having his nose broken in the unanimous decision defeat.
Now 38, Briedis is in the same boat as Opetaia, having not fought since the two shared the ring.
More to come.