Lineal cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia has been confirmed to appear on what shapes as the biggest boxing card of the year.
Announced at a press conference in London on Wednesday, the Australian will take on undefeated Englishman Ellis Zorro in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 23 (Dec. 24 in Australia) alongside some of the sport’s biggest names.
Former heavyweight world champions Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker, WBA light heavyweight titleholder Dmitry Bivol, heavyweight contenders Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, Jarrell Miller and Frank Sanchez are all set to take to the ring in the blockbuster event, coined "Day Of Reckoning".
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It will be Opetaia’s second defence of his IBF and Ring titles after he blasted through Jordan Thompson inside four rounds in London on September 30.
Opetaia had been ordered by the IBF to face Mairis Briedis, the man he dethroned in a brutal 12-round war in July 2022..
Much like Thompson in Opetaia's last fight, Zorro is facing a significant step up in competition.
The 31-year-old has a record of 17-0 with seven knockouts but has yet to face anyone close to world level and will need a career-best performance to threaten the undefeated champion.
Opetaia's stoppage of Thompson saw him improve to 23-0 with 18 knockouts, showing no signs of ring rust following a nearly 15-month break between fights.
It's understood Opetaia's performance in London that night caught the eye of the Saudi organisers behind the December 23 event, setting the wheels in motion for his addition to the card.
The date had originally been earmarked to host the undisputed heavyweight title clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, before the latter had an unexpectedly tough fight against Francis Ngannou, pushing that fight back until February.
Still wanting to host a blockbuster boxing event and with plenty of money to spend, organisers turned their attention to stacking a card with some of the sport's best big men.
Fans have wanted to see Joshua and Wilder square off for many years and while they won't on this occasion, there is optimism this event could be a stepping stone to an eventual fight between the pair.
Joshua will instead take on Otto Wallin, with Wilder to face Kiwi former WBO world champion Parker.
Also in action, Bivol will fight for the first time in more than a year, taking on IBO champion Lyndon Arthur.
December 23 fight card featuring Jai Opetaia, Anthony Joshua
Bouts and order subject to change.
- Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin
- Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker
- Dmitry Bivol vs. Lyndon Arthur
- Jai Opetaia vs. Ellis Zorro
- Daniel Dubois vs. Jarrell Miller
- Frank Sanchez vs. Junior Fa
- Filip Hrgovic vs. Mark De Mori
- Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel
