IBF schedules purse bid for Opetaia vs. Masternak

By Scott Shaffer

06/06/2023

IBF schedules purse bid for Opetaia vs. Masternak

IBF cruierweight champion Jai Opetaia (22-0) won his title in July, but still has not even booked his first defense. On Tuesday, the IBF scheduled a purse bid for a mandatory defense between the 2012 Australian Olympian and Poland's Mateusz Masternak. The IBF purse bid will take place on Thursday, June 15th at noon Eastern time. The 36 year-old Masternak is 47-5 with six straight wins since a 2018 loss to former WBA title holder Yuniel Dorticos. The other three reigning 200-pound champions are Arsen Goulamirian (WBA), Badou Jack (WBC) and Chris Billam-Smith (WBO).
 
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
 
JULY 22, 2022: Yahoo! Sports reports that 2012 Australian Olympian Jai Opetaia overcame an injured jaw to claims Mairis Briedis’  IBF cruiserweight championship. Briedis was considered the top 200-pounder in the world since Oleksadr Usyk moved up to heavyweight but Opetaia bloodied and defeated the Latvian favorite by unanimous decision on Saturday in Broadbeach, Australia. Official scores were 116-112 (twice) and 115-113, all in favor of Opetaia, who improves to 22-0 with 17 KOs. Opetaia joined Usyk as the only man to defeat Briedis, who is now 28-2.