Jai Opetaia retained his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles with a sixth-round TKO victory over Jack Massey in Riyadh, further enhancing his claims as the division's top dog.
The Australian southpaw mixed brutality with professionalism, completely outclassing and overpowering the ultra-tough Englishman on the way to a win which could set up a unification fight next.
“I’m hoping that comes,” Opetaia told DAZN when asked about the prospect of facing the Chris Billam-Smith-Gilberto Ramirez winner.
“Whoever [Turki Alalshikh] tells me to beat, that’s who I’ve got to beat.”
MORE: Skye Nicolson defends title with easy decision victory
Opetaia certainly looked like the best at 200-lbs in beating Massey, completely dominating the fight from the outset.
The 29-year-old was the aggressor early, driving his rear hand into Massey’s mid-section and face, a trend which would continue for the rest of the fight.
Massey had brief moments of success as he looked to time Opetaia on the counter but they were generally met with more heat coming back the other way, as the Aussie began to mix uppercuts and hooks into the arsenal.
The Englishman’s nose began to show damage and his resistance began to wane through rounds four and five before Opetaia stepped up the body assault and slowed Massey further.
It was more of the same in the sixth until Joe Gallagher had seen enough and threw in the towel, putting a stop to what had been a complete pummeling from a champion at the very top of his game.
Opetaia moves to 26-0 with 20 KOs, while Massey slips to 22-3, having been stopped for the first time his career.
Fellow champions at cruiserweight. Billam-Smith (WBO) and Ramirez (WBA) face off in Riyadh on November 16.
Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey updates, highlights
Massey's corner throws in the towel in the sixth, mercifully ending what was a clinical beatdown from the champion.
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
| Opetaia | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||
| Massey | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Round 6: Opetaia keeps the pressure on as Massey attempts to rally, perhaps a final attempt at getting himself into the fight. Opetaia now drilling the body right hooks and Massey winces. The corner throw in the towel! That's it!
Round 5: If Massey's gameplan is to take the champion late in the fight, he's going to have to take an absolute beating to get there. Opetaia times a right hook counter to wobble Massey. The Australian is punching with ferocity here and has been all fight.
Round 4: Damage showing on Massey's face now, with blood around his nose. The challenger looking to impose himself on the contest slightly more but the southpaw still popping him with that left, low and high. A right and left put Massey on the back foot again.
Round 3: Massey lands his best shot so far with a well-timed counter but Opetaia fires right back and has some success. Opetaia mostly looking to land single, big shots at the moment with Massey covering up on the ropes.
Round 2: Opetaia controlling the ring at the moment and mixing up the shots now, landing with some lead uppercuts as well as long left hands. Massey on the back foot but yet to be hurt.
Round 1: Positive start from the champion, driving straight lefts, to the body and upstairs. Finishes combinations with the right hook nicely. Massey yet to get anything going.
6:30am AEDT: Opetaia is making his way to the ring now, fight starting imminently.
Where to watch Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey
- Live Stream: DAZN
Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey will air on DAZN in Australia. The fight is part of a mega card in Saudi Arabia with the main event featuring Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.
The event will be available to watch live and on-demand on DAZN Pay-Per-View. Fans can choose to watch the whole card on Smart TVs, video game consoles, phones, tablets and laptops.
WATCH: Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey live on DAZN
Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey start time
- Date: Sunday, October 13
- Start time: 3 a.m. AEDT
- Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey start time (approx.): 6:30 a.m. AEDT
- Main event start time (approx.): 9 a.m. AEDT
The main card starts at 3 a.m. AEDT on Sunday. Jai Opetaia and Jack Massey should make their way to the ring around 6:30 a.m. AEDT. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol should make their way to the ring around 9 a.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol fight card
- Artur Beterbiev (c) vs. Dmitry Bivol (c) for the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO light heavyweight titles
- Fabio Wardley (c) vs. Frazer Clarke 2 for the British heavyweight title
- Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jack Massey for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
- Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweights
- Skye Nicolson (c) vs. Raven Chapman for the WBC featherweight title
- Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light Heavyweights
- Mohammed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez
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