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Jai Opetaia joined Zuffa for Chase Undisputed – now titleless

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Jai Opetaia speaks at a press conference as the Zuffa championship belt and his former IBF title are shown

Jai Opetai’s quest for undisputed status took a huge hit after the IBF stripped the Australian of the cruiserweight title following confirmation that Zuffa’s championship would be treated as a world title.

Opetaia has repeatedly said his goal is to become undisputed. Even at his final press conference, minutes before the IBF released its statement, Opetaia insisted the belt was on the line.

Directly responding to a question from Fight Hub’s Marcos Villegas, Opetaia said: “Yes, the IBF title is in the pipeline. Don’t listen to everything you hear on the internet because everyone is spreading rumors.”

However, these “rumors” were not like that. World Boxing News reported that the IBF was only considering sanctioning the fight and that an announcement would be made.

Ironically, for Opetai, these explanations came shortly after his own comments and contradicted everything he had confirmed to Villegas.

Zuffa’s undisputed plan

The IBF has already clarified that it is not involved in this event, stating: “The IBF has not had any discussions regarding this fight with any direct representative of Zuffa Boxing.”

The IBF also emphasized boxing’s ultimate goal for champions.

“The pursuit of undisputed status – by unifying the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles – represents the highest ambition in sport.”

Following the IBF’s ruling, it now seems highly unlikely that any other sanctioning bodies will allow one of their titles to be on the line with Zuffa.

USA Boxing withdraws

The event came just hours after USA Boxing withdrew its support for proposed changes to the Muhammad Ali Act that could have allowed the Zuffa championship structure to exist under the current system.

In a letter sent to members of Congress, the governing body clarified that the earlier correspondence “does not represent the official position of USA Boxing” and confirmed that “the Board hereby withdraws this letter.”

The blow to the body puts Opetai’s unquestionable ambitions into solemn doubt.

What was initially presented as the path to boxing’s ultimate achievement – unifying the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles – instead removed the first belt required to begin that journey.

It is unclear at this stage whether Zuffa made any promises during the negotiations.

It is clear that Opetaia is currently under contract to Zuffa and if sanctioning authorities continue to withhold recognition, the Australian currently has no realistic path to an undisputed position once signed with the company.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix

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"Joshua vs Fury Confirmed for December 11 in Cardiff on Netflix"

Principality Stadium secures the British heavyweight fight, with a London press conference next week and the undercard to follow.

Anthony Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) and Tyson Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) will fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, December 11. Netflix will broadcast the full event exclusively after organizers secured a British venue for the heavyweights’ first professional meeting.

Turki Alalshikh announced the fight, and Joshua and Fury are scheduled to attend a London press conference next week. The supporting card will be announced later; no undercard opponents were named in the supplied announcement.

The December date replaces the November plan discussed earlier in negotiations. Wembley had been Joshua’s preferred destination, but Cardiff secured the event following talks over whether the fight would remain in Britain or move to the United States.

Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn insisted on a UK venue. His contract included that requirement, and their position held despite discussions involving New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Dana White said: “For more than a decade, boxing fans have been clamoring for the heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Together, they bring 66 wins, 52 knockouts and multiple heavyweight world titles into the ring. On December 11, two of the biggest heavyweights of this generation finally collide and the winner will take a significant place in heavyweight history.”

Netflix to broadcast the full Cardiff card

Netflix’s preference for an evening American broadcast drove the push to stage the fight across the Atlantic. Madison Square Garden emerged as the leading US option before negotiations returned to Britain.

Cardiff keeps the contest on British soil, with a late opening bell expected to accommodate viewers in the United States.

The main event is expected around 1 a.m. UK timealthough the exact time has not been confirmed. If that schedule holds. A 1 a.m. GMT start would put the main event at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 11 for viewers on America’s east coast.

The fight is expected to take place beneath Principality Stadium’s retractable roof.

London press conference scheduled for next week

Alalshikh welcomed the agreement after months of negotiations over the event.

“Two of the best heavyweights of this generation, finally in the ring together. This will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history, I am very happy to make this fight happen for the fans,” he said.

Joshua and Fury previously signed a two-fight agreement in 2021. That booking collapsed after an arbitration ruling required Fury to face Deontay Wilder again.

Their December meeting now has a confirmed date, venue and broadcaster. Next week’s press conference will bring both fighters to London, with the remaining card and precise event timetable still to follow.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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Manny Pacquiao and Shakur Stevenson Discuss Potential Fight in Cardiff

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"Manny Pacquiao and Shakur Stevenson Discuss Potential Fight in Cardiff"

Manny Pacquiao against Shakur Stevenson remains under discussion for the proposed Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury card in Cardiff. It would give the event a second major fight, but neither Pacquiao nor Stevenson has received a bout agreement.

BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire reports that two people connected to the talks say Netflix wants the matchup as part of a “double main event.” December 11 is the date under consideration at Principality Stadium, with December 18 also possible. Pacquiao adviser Jas Mathur told BoxingScene that Pacquiao’s financial terms are still being negotiated.

That leaves a great deal to settle before anyone can call this a fight. The Cardiff show itself has yet to be formally announced, and moving Joshua-Fury from the previously discussed Madison Square Garden setting means assembling the rest of the card around a different venue and date.

Pacquiao-Stevenson would bring two very different attractions to that card. Stevenson, 29, is coming off his January win over Teofimo Lopez and has since signed with Zuffa Boxing. Pacquiao, 47, drew with Mario Barrios in his July 2025 return. His name would draw attention far beyond the usual boxing audience, though the long layoff and age difference would become part of the conversation as soon as the fight was announced.

The proposed pairing also raises a practical question: what weight would they fight at? Pacquiao’s return came at welterweight, while Stevenson’s recent work has been at lighter weights. No weight, number of rounds, or title terms have been announced.

For now, the news is that Pacquiao-Stevenson has survived the reported switch to Cardiff and remains in Netflix’s plans, according to BoxingScene. The decisive development would be agreements reaching both fighters. Until then, it belongs on the list of fights being negotiated, rather than the Joshua-Fury undercard.

Pacquiao turns 48 on December 17. If the fight lands on December 18, Shakur would face him one day after his birthday. Pacquiao won his first world title in 1998, before Shakur turned two.

That age difference makes the matchup a hard sell as a competitive fight. If Shakur wins easily, how much credit does he get for beating a man nearly two decades older? If he boxes his way to a quiet decision, Pacquiao’s name may bring viewers to Netflix, but the fight may give them little reason to watch Shakur again.

Pacquiao’s fame can make this a major event. Turning it into a fight that helps Shakur is another matter. First, both men need to agree to terms; neither has received a bout agreement.

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BoxingNews24.com has delivered independent boxing coverage since 2007, including original news, fight analysis, schedules, and results. Our experienced boxing writers cover major fighters and events worldwide, with published content reviewed by editors for accuracy.

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Teofimo Lopez Set to Defend World Title on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard – Boxing News

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"Teofimo Lopez Set to Defend World Title on Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Undercard - Boxing News"

Teofimo Lopez has been offered a slot on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua card, which is set to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.

‘The Takeover’ comes off a majority decision victory over Rolando Romero, who he dethroned last month after surviving a genuine scare in round five.

In reality, though, it was a far more convincing win than the scorecards suggested and, despite suffering a one-sided defeat to Shakur Stevenson in January, Lopez proved that he remains a highly-skilled operator at world level.

But while he has expressed an interest in unification matches at 147lbs, particularly one against WBC champion Ryan Garcia, the 29-year-old must first make a mandatory defence and retain his WBA title.

He has, in other words, been ordered to face Jack Catterallwho claimed his WBA ‘Regular’ title by producing arguably a career-best performance to unanimously outpoint Shakhram Giyasov in May.

Lopez, meanwhile, had attempted to swerve his mandatory duty and, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafaelis considering vacating his welterweight belt in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities.

If he is to proceed with the Catterall fight, however, then the three-division world champion could end up featuring on the expected Fury-Joshua card later this year.

Equally, Catterall has taken to social media and acknowledged that, as the champion, Lopez can choose to defend his title on home soil.

“Hey mate [Lopez]you fancy scrapping on the [Fury-Joshua] card? If not don’t worry, I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ.”

According to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, both parties have until October 22 to reach an agreement or risk a purse bid hearing being called.

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