Jai Opetaia keeps IBF title as sanctioning body reviews Zuffa fight

Sanctioning body reviewing champion’s status after Zuffa Boxing bout against Brandon Glanton

The IBF is reviewing Jai Opetaia’s cruiserweight title status after the champion appeared on a non-sanctioned Zuffa Boxing card earlier this week. The sanctioning body has not yet issued a ruling, leaving the unbeaten Australian holding the belt while officials examine the situation.

Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) defeated Brandon Glanton on March 8 to win the inaugural Zuffa Boxing belt in a fight that did not carry IBF approval. The sanctioning body had previously indicated that Opetaia could lose his cruiserweight title for participating in the event without its sanction.

“Update on Jai Opetaia’s title status: IBF is still reviewing matter, which means his cruiserweight title remains intact,” reported Jake Donovan on social media. “Jai’s post-fight speech stressing his commitment to pursuing undisputed has prompted sanctioning body to further investigate matter.”

Opetaia stated after the fight that he intends to pursue undisputed status in the cruiserweight division. That stance appears to have influenced the IBF’s decision to delay action while examining the situation. Sanctioning bodies often move quickly when champions participate in unsanctioned events, but the IBF has opted to continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding Opetaia’s involvement before making a final determination.

A decision could determine whether Opetaia remains free to pursue major fights across different promotional platforms or whether he must choose between the IBF title and appearances on cards outside the organization’s sanctioning structure.

A unification option still exists. Noel Mikaelian holds the WBC cruiserweight title and has previously shown interest in facing Opetaia if the fight can be arranged.

The IBF title, therefore, stays with Opetaia for now while the sanctioning body determines whether disciplinary action will follow his appearance on the Zuffa Boxing event in the coming weeks, as the review process continues internally.