Frank Smith Says Jai Opetaia Has No Right to Complain About IBF

The Matchroom CEO says Opetaia accepted the risk of losing his belt after joining an organization that publicly rejected the sanctioning bodies.

Frank Smith believes Jai Opetaia’s legal dispute with the IBF is a problem of his own making. The Matchroom CEO argues Opetaia cannot criticize the sanctioning body for stripping his title after aligning himself with an organization that openly dismissed the traditional belt system.

Smith was asked about reports that Opetaia’s lawsuit accuses the IBF of industry-wide collusion. Rather than discuss the legal claims, he focused on what led to the dispute.

“I don’t read into too much anymore. He joined an organization that didn’t recognize his belt and said, ‘F*** the sanctioning bodies,’ which they did. They’re not my words. That was theirs,” Smith said to Pro Boxing Fans.

“The IBF stripped him, and they have their reasonings for it. The IBF, out of everyone, I’m not saying the others aren’t militant on their rules or have more flexibility where the chair of the organization can make decisions, but the IBF are militant on their rules.”

Smith believes the governing body simply enforced the regulations it has long been known for applying without exception.

“They’ll go through that process. But I do find it funny how you join an organization that says, ‘F*** them all,’ then cry when they do get rid of the belt. I find that funny.”

Smith stressed that the dispute has nothing to do with Matchroom and said the outcome now rests between Opetaia and the IBF.

“It’s nothing to do with me, nothing to do with Matchroom. It’s him and the IBF. Let’s see what happens,” said Smith.

The comments come as Opetaia continues his legal challenge after losing recognition from the IBF, with the lawsuit reportedly alleging anti-competitive conduct surrounding the sanctioning body’s decision. Smith’s view is that the governing body simply followed the same strict policies it has applied for years, leaving Opetaia with little basis for complaint after openly rejecting the sanctioning system.