Boxing
The IBF ruling creates champion recruitment problems for Zuffa Boxing
Published
1 month agoon
The International Boxing Federation’s ruling that stripped Jai Opetaia of his cruiserweight title also exposed a broader problem for the fledgling Zuffa Boxing organization.
In its detailed explanation of the decision, the IBF reiterated that it learned of the planned Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton fight via social media, and then reminded the champion’s representatives of Rule 5 governing IBF titleholders.
Discussions followed between the sanctioning body and representatives associated with the event, including promoter Michael Francis, lawyer Joshua Dubin and mediator Sean Gibbons. The IBF ultimately agreed to sanction the fight under certain conditions, including ensuring that the proposed Zuffa belt would not be promoted as a rival championship.
The correspondence cited by the IBF stated that any Zuffa belt would be treated as a “trophy or token of recognition” rather than a world competition title.
However, things changed during the March 6 press conference in Las Vegas, when the fight was publicly promoted as a fight for the “Zuffa world cruiserweight championship.” The IBF immediately withdrew sanctions for the fight.
Under IBF Rule 5.H, a champion who competes in an unsanctioned competition within a division’s weight limit automatically forfeits his title regardless of the result.
The federation’s board of directors later confirmed that the Opetai cruiserweight championship had been vacated.
Zuffa’s title question
The situation highlights a potential structural conflict between Zuffa Boxing and the existing sanctioning body system that has governed professional boxing titles for decades.
Zuffa faces a title dilemma, although the promotion may not see it that way. The organization seems willing to offer its own championship belt, which may have been the intention from the beginning.
However, competitors following the conventional route of recognized world titles may see the situation differently. Opetaia has spoken repeatedly about his ambitions to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion, and his path is based on retaining and defending the belts against major sanctioning bodies.
The IBF’s decision effectively sets the first precedent for how those bodies respond when a reigning champion participates in a fight promoted around an alternative championship structure.
This energetic can be a complex choice for fighters considering a move to Zuffa while also holding a recognized world title.
IBF champion Richardson Hitchins has already admitted he has reservations about joining the organization if it meant giving up the belt.
Masters
So far, Opetaia is the only current world champion to have signed with Zuffa, and the IBF ruling immediately cost him the title he took into the competition.
Given Opetai’s previously stated ambitions to unify the cruiserweight division, it will now be captivating to see how the Australian responds to the situation.
Despite Dana White’s recent suggestion that Zuffa could work with other promoters and sanctioning bodies, the path to formal recognition of the title still appears complicated.
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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Boxing
The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma
Published
58 minutes agoon
April 24, 2026
Moses Itauma appears to have a fresh fight date set as he continues his march towards the heavyweight throne, with talk turning to who will walk through the ropes with him.
Itauma has never fought more than six rounds in his 14-fight professional career, but now he finds himself one step away from fighting for the coveted heavyweight crown. which may occur before the end of the year.
It has been reported that the 21-year-old will headline the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, July 25 in a fight that will ideally be another step forward in the competition.
Promoter Frank Warren didn’t have time to catch up with the youthful talent, claiming that many heavyweights had either rejected the fight altogether or overestimated themselves. Itauma’s future depends on strategically selecting players, increasing his exposure and attracting opponents who can bring fresh aspects to his game. There were many suggestions for good candidates, and Andy Ruiz Jr was mentioned as a hard-wearing and experienced operator by the likes of Tony Bellew.
However, when asked if he would be willing to compete in his opponent’s corner, the former unified heavyweight ruler, who shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2019, said: Casino.org that he would like at least two fights to get rid of the rust in the ring.
“Of course I’m not backing down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight. I want to fight at least two fights first. Then, if they put me against him, I’ll be ready and it will be a great fight.
“If you combine the Mexican fighting style, which is about moving forward and not being afraid of getting hit, with his style, I think it will be an intriguing fight. So we’ll see if he succeeds or not.”
“If I’m 100% and in shape, I don’t think there’s anyone who can beat me. But I think me and Itauma could do it. I feel like I could beat those guys (AJ and Itauma).
“Other than that, I was like Patrick Star, I was just resting under a rock while everyone else was getting beat up and taking losses and stuff like that. So I’m going to come in fresh and come in differently than before.”
The search is on for Itauma’s next foe, which will be his first headlining appearance in London.
Jones was billed as one of the company’s rising names, and the hometown headline gave him a apparent platform on DAZN. The organizers don’t randomly hand out the main events. It’s a sign that Golden Boy wants to see if Jones can move from prospect talks into rival territory. This part still needs to be proven.
Jones boasts an attractive record and clear physical tools, but his rise has come without a victory to dispel doubts. He showed strength against his chosen opponent, but astute observers were still waiting for a performance that would confirm he was more than just a well-managed, undefeated fighter.
For this reason, Gualtieri is a useful opponent. The German won the vacant IBF middleweight title in 2023 by defeating Esquiva Falcao before losing in a unification fight to Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. He has since bounced back with four straight wins and brings experience, size and composure.
It’s not the most perilous fight in the division, but that’s how Jones should be judged. If he is a solemn middleweight, as Golden Boy claims, then a former champion with a rebounding streak is the type of guy he should beat, and beat it decisively.
A close victory would keep Jones going, but it wouldn’t silence him much. A flat display would raise louder questions than a press release.
The middleweight category needs recent names. Jones now has a chance to show that he belongs.
Golden Boy has taken a sluggish approach throughout Jones’ career, but at some point you have to turn up the heat or fans will lose interest. From a promoter’s point of view, this is a protected pairing that looks like a step forward.
By pairing Jones with a former world champion, Golden Boy can claim to be fighting a world-class talent. In fact, they chose a guy who has already played at the highest level and doesn’t have the one-punch power to keep Amari from taking him to the ground.
If Amari truly is the next huge star to come out of Virgil Hunter’s gym, he should blow Gualtieri out of the water. Anything less will only confirm that it is still protected.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Boxing
Floyd Mayweather confirmed who he will fight before his rematch with Manny Pacquiao
Published
5 hours agoon
April 24, 2026
Floyd Mayweather is officially scheduled to return to the ring this summer, ahead of his clash with Manny Pacquiao later this year.
The shocker was that earlier this year it was announced that Mayweather would end his nearly decade-long retirement and return to competition face former foe Pacquiao on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, doubts have been raised about the fight in recent weeks, with Mayweather claiming the fight will be an exhibition rather than a professional fight, while Pacquiao insists it will be a fully sanctioned fight.
As the confusion surrounding this fight continues, one thing is certain that Mayweather is expected to compete before his fight with Pacquiao, after he confirmed details about the June exhibition.
Mayweather was scheduled to fight both Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis this year, and while there is no further information on Tyson’s fight, Mayweather posted on social media officially reveal the details of his fight with Zambidis.
“IT’S OFFICIAL. June 27 – Athens, Greece. History will be made. I’m stepping into the ring with Mike Zambidis. One night. One stage. An all-out fight you can’t miss.”
Zambidis is a Greek kickboxing legend who has won multiple world titles during his career in the sport, but has only competed professionally once, winning in March 2019.
The Zambidis fight gives Mayweather a chance to get busy, but most boxing fans will be keen to resolve the issues surrounding his fight with Pacquiao as the two boxing legends look to resume their rivalry since their first meeting in 2015.
The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma
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