Jai Opetaia is again on the hunt for one more title challenger.
For the second time in as many makes an attempt, the unbeaten lineal and IBF cruiserweight champion has seen a compulsory title protection fall via the cracks. Richard Riakporhe is the most recent to withdraw from an ordered struggle, the event which was discovered hours earlier than a scheduled purse bid listening to was attributable to decide promotional rights.
Neither Opetaia nor IBF representatives have been able to but reply to an inquiry positioned by BoxingScene.com searching for remark given the immediacy of the information. Riakporhe launched a press release confirming that he’ll now not proceed with the bout.
“We had accepted a proposal to struggle for the IBF title on two events in two completely different areas,” Riakporhe mentioned Tuesday. “For causes unclear to me and my promoter, these provides have been then withdrawn. Throughout these negotiations, I’ve missed out on different alternatives, which has left me inactive. It’s clear different events have been merely attempting to disrupt my journey, which I received’t let occur.
“I wish to thank the IBF for his or her assist and I stay up for preventing for his or her prestigious title sooner or later. Nevertheless, I’ve chosen to go a unique route and might be sharing information of one other world title alternative very quickly.”
Sydney’s Opetaia (22-0, 15KOs) would have earned the larger share of a 65-35 cut up because the defending champion.
The 28-year-old southpaw—who represented Australia within the 2012 London Olympics—now has to discover a new opponent to finish what’s already a career-long inactive streak.
London’s Riakporhe (16-0, 12KOs) was named the brand new obligatory challenger in June after Poland’s Mateusz Masternak abruptly withdrew from his shot on the IBF title, additionally shortly earlier than a scheduled purse bid listening to.
Opetaia has not fought since his thrilling twelve-round win over Mairis Briedis to assert the IBF and lineal championship final July 2 in Broadbeach, Australia. He suffered a damaged jaw early within the struggle, after which underwent shoulder surgical procedure earlier this yr earlier than he was given a clear invoice of well being to return.
Riakporhe final fought in a January 21 fourth-round knockout of former WBO cruiserweight titlist Kryzysztof Glowacki in Manchester, England. His spectacular run to competition included 4 wins over beforehand unbeaten foes, together with a July 2019 victory over Chris Billam-Smith who has since received and presently holds the WBO title.
Riakporhe and Billam-Smith are each promoted by Ben Shalom’s BOXXER, which might assist ease a number of the burden to make a title struggle rematch if that’s the truth is the plan.
In the meantime, Opetaia and his crew are left to scramble for a brand new possibility after twice being left on the altar.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
