The Boxing Truth®

The fight between Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton on March 8th at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, NV was one that could be described as one of the hottest rising stars in the sport going against a top contender, who may eventually also be considered among the best in Boxing, that shined a light on the often lightly regarded and consistently lacking name recognition, Cruiserweight division . A synopsis that frankly did not need controversy. For the unbeaten Opetaia, however, the fight would have such a shadow of controversy as the fighter, recognized by both the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and Ring Magazine as World Cruiserweight champion, would see the IBF withhold sanctioning of the bout two days before it took place due to what it felt was a lack of respect by the promoter Zuffa Boxing , who is attempting to establish it's own world championships for fights held under its banner in an attempt to establish Unified Boxing Organizations (UBO’s). A format that seems to m...

In a developing story, on Friday evening, the International Boxing Federation ( IBF ) has withdrawn its sanctioning of Sunday’s Cruiserweight championship bout between its champion Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton. The decision comes following Zuffa Boxing’s, who will be promoting the bout, refusal to acknowledge independent sanctioning organizations or outside promoters, choosing instead to have their own championships and rankings in house.  While the latter represents a subject that will have ramifications and possible litigation between the promoter and independent sanctioning organizations as well as outside promoters, the IBF’s decision, in essence strips the undefeated Opetaia of the IBF World Cruiserweight championship regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s contest. The bout, however, will go forward as scheduled with the vacant Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight title on the line. The bout, which will headline Zuffa Boxing 04 can be seen here in the United States on digital...

On Sunday, March 8th, the newest promotional player in the sport of Boxing, Zuffa Boxing will showcase its fourth Boxing card at the MetaPlex in Las Vegas, NV. While this observer has quietly observed the previous three Zuffa events this column will not focus on the promotion itself, nor will it delve too deeply into its spearheading legislation that some will argue could lead to radical change in the sport of Boxing both for good and bad, but what Zuffa 4 will produce is the first world championship bout promoted under the Zuffa banner as in the main event undefeated IBF World Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will defend his title against current IBF number fifteen rated Cruiserweight contender Brandon Glanton in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen in the United States on digital subscription general entertainment network Paramount+ .  This fight obviously will mark the first bout for the champion under the Zuffa banner, but most knowledgeable Boxing fans are lik...

Undefeated IBF World Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia scored a brutal fourth round knockout of previously undefeated IBF number ten rated Cruiserweight contender David Nyika on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia. Opetaia, who has quickly established himself as a “Knockout Artist" faced what should be considered a stern test in the form of a determined David Nyika, who showed no hesitation in being willing to engage with the champion. What resulted was a give and take, toe to toe battle through most of the fight. When one fighter would land solidly with their punches, the other would respond almost immediately with punches of their own. Frankly, through much of the flight, there was not much to separate the two fighters. This began to change ever so slightly in round three when Opetaia began to vary his attack to the body and head of the challenger. It would be in round four where the champion would find his opening. Opetaia started to s...