Jai Opetaia backed up his claim to be the best cruiserweight in the world by knocking out British underdog Ellis Zorro to retain The Ring belt in spectacular fashion on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia – and the Australian could be targeting the heavyweight division.
Unbeaten Opetaia had already shown his willingness to let his hands go before punishing his opponent for unwisely dropping his right hand by sending him crashing back against the canvas with a volcanic left hook, the Kent boxer's head bouncing off the ropes and canvas on his way to a shuddering, near-instant end to his challenge.
The nature of Zorro's flattening initially appeared worrying, so it was a relief to see the 31-year-old quickly return to his feet for the result, having received medical attention.
"He was very hesistant," Opetaia said of his opponent. "He wasn't engaging much. He was a bit too hesitant. That's just how it goes."
More: Follow Day of Reckoning live!
Opetaia had a curious build-up to the fight, confirming days earlier that he had relinquished his IBF title because the sanctioning body had refused to grant the champion a second exemption from facing their mandatory challenger.
That challenger is Mairis Briedis, who cannot currently compete because of injury, lost to Opetaia by decision in July 2022 and reportedly has agreed in principle to face him again in early 2024.
"The last 18 months have just been part of the journey," said Opetaia, who struggled to find opponents after beating Briedis, fighting only once between then and his demolition of Zorro.
"I'm here, and that's all that matters. I'm just excited to be here and for the next step. Put the people in front of me and I'll just knock them out."
Is Jai Opetaia heading for heavyweights after Ellis Zorro KO?
Less than three months after knocking out Jordan Thompson at Wembley Arena in his first fight for almost 15 months, remorseless Opetaia outclassed Zorro to perhaps demonstrate why potential opponents fear they will be fodder for the 28-year-old former junior light heavyweight champion.
Twelve of Zorro's previous 17 fights had come at London's 1,200-capacity York Hall, including his knockout win over Hosea Burton to win the vacant WBO European title in May.
Zorro had hoped his next fight would be at an arena in England, so his addition to one of the most high-profile events of the year was a pleasant surprise and a significant step up in stage and challenge, and he proved to be massively mismatched at the end of a week when he had attempted to look undaunted.
Opetaia had said that his farcical predicament with the IBF "sucked", and a return to Saudi Arabia to face a fit-again Briedis could take place in "the first quarter" of 2024, promoter Eddie Hearn hinted after this hammering.
"You're talking, already, about an unbelievable pound-for-pound talent," said Hearn, likening Opetaia's path to current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
"Usyk became undisputed in the cruiserweight division, moved up and became unified in the heavyweight division. I believe Jai's going to do exactly the same thing.
"He should be standing here as IBF champion but it doesn't matter because everybody knows he's the number one cruiserweight in the world. I'd like to see him become undisputed before he moves up. He's one of the most exciting fighters on the planet."
Opetaia improved his perfect record to 24 fights, adding a 19th knockout, while Zorro suffered a first defeat of his 18-bout career.
WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, live on DAZN
How to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin: Day of Reckoning: TV channel, live stream
Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin is live on DAZN PPV around the world.
Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to Sky in the UK.
Day of Reckoning: Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin, Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker PPV price: How much does the fight cost?
The PPV price for Day of Reckoning on DAZN varies per region. See the table below for your specific region:
WATCH: Deontay Wilder vs. Joseph Parker, live on DAZN
For a limited time, get your first month of DAZN for just $0.01 when you buy a Pay Per View event with your monthly plan.
| Region | Monthly Subscription | Annual Subscription | PPV Price |
| USA | $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 month-to-month | $224.99 | $39.99 |
| Canada | $24.99 per month | $199.99 | $39.99 |
| UK and Ireland | £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month | £99.99 | £19.99 |
| Australia | 13.99 AUD | — | $21.99 |
