Jai Opetaia scores fourth round knockout victory over Jordan Thompson to retain IBF, Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles

Tom Naghten

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Jai Opetaia scores fourth round knockout victory over Jordan Thompson to retain IBF, Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles image

Australia's Jai Opetaia has retained the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles with a dominant beatdown of Englishman Jordan Thompson at the Wembley Arena in London.

In his first title defence, Opetaia got rid of the six-foot-seven Thompson inside four rounds, seemingly dealing with the previously undefeated fighter with ease.

The southpaw, who improves to 23-0 with 18 knockouts, looked a class above from the outset, landing power left hands and moving in and out of range to avoid the shots coming back the other way.

MORE: Unbroken: The story behind one of Australian boxing's greatest victories

Opetaia had Thompson hurt on multiple occasions and dropped him in the third before landing another straight left and some follow-up shots to finish the job.

After what was his first fight since defeating Mairis Briedis to claim the titles in July 2022, Opetaia suggested he came into the bout with a chip on his shoulder.

"I told you. This is what I do. I'm born for this sh*t, I live for it," Opetaia said.

"I feel like this fight night was Jordan Thompson's fight night, they made it about him, it was nothing to do with me.

"They put me in this small ring, thinking they were going to cut me off, but that's what happens.

"I've got good footwork and they tried to take that away from me with this little ring. I've got the power too, I told them from the start they were underestimating my power and that's what happens.

"I hurt him early, I got a bit excited, I was throwing some bombs but we came back to the corner, said to relax, it will come naturally and that's what I do, it comes natural, setting up those punches and the knockout comes."

Opetaia said a unification fight with WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith was on his radar next.

"I've been saying it in all the press conferences, I've come here to earn respect not disrespect," he added.

"Chris Billam-Smith, I would love to make that fight happen, I want that WBO [belt] around my waist."

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who now co-promotes Opetaia, said the Australian had all the tools to dominate at cruiserweight.

"I think this is a guy that's going to rule the division, I really do," Hearn said.

"I think he's a monster, he fought a big guy tonight but he showed levels.

"He should be a hero in his country, I hope people tuning in right now back home start to realise and put some respect on this guy's name.

"Chris Billam-Smith is a lovely young man, we love him. I don't see anyone beating [Opetaia] in the division. Honestly, I think he beats everybody in the division.

"It's our job now to make sure he brings every belt to Australia. There's massive fights to be made in Australia, stadium fights. He should be a national hero."

Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson results, updates

Round 4: That's it! Opetaia walks Thompson down and gets the job done in emphatic fashion!

Round 3: Knockdown for Opetaia! Thompson fires some shots but Opetaia sneaks one in on the way back and rocks the challenger who goes down. Opetaia looking for the overhand left to close the show. Thompson is in big trouble. Referee Howard Foster having a very close look. Opetaia lands another huge shot right at the end of the round. Thompson looks ready to go.

30-26 Opetaia

Round 2: Another good round for Opetaia. Blood flowing from Thompson's nose already. The Englishman lands his first significant shot of the fight late in the round but Opetaia gets right back on the front foot.

20-18 Opetaia

Round 1: Brilliant opening round for the champion. Opetaia lands the straight left at will and finishes with a flurry as Thompson has no answer for the movement and diversity of shots coming his way.

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Opetaia

10 25 p.m. BST/8:25 a.m. AEDT: The ring walks are complete, both fighters are ready to go. 

Follow along with our unofficial scorecard.

10 p.m. BST/8 a.m. AEDT: The undercard bouts are complete, with Opetaia vs. Thompson up next.

Cheavon Clarke def. Vasil Ducar

Jimmy Sains def. Bartlomiej Stryczek

Rhiannon Dixon def. Katharina Thanderz

Ellie Scotney (c) def. Laura Soledad Griffa for the IBF super bantamweight title

George Liddard def. Peter Kramer

Ibraheem Sulaimaan def. Joshua Ocampo

Shannon Ryan def. Xenia Jorneac

Maisey Rose Courtney def. Martina Bernile

Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson start time

Opetaia vs. Thompson is on September 30 (Oct 1 in Australia). The main card starts at 7 p.m. local time, 2 p.m. ET, or 4 a.m. AEST.

The main event fighters should make their way to the ring around 10 p.m. local time, 5:15 p.m. ET, or 7:15 a.m. AEST depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

Region Date Main Card Start Time Main Event Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (ET) Saturday, September 30 2 p.m. ET 5:15 p.m. ET
USA and Canada (PT) Saturday, September 30 11 a.m. PT 2:15 p.m. PT
UK and Ireland Saturday, September 30 7 p.m. BST 10:15 p.m. BST
Australia Sunday, October 1 4 a.m. AEST 7:15 a.m. AEST

How to watch Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson

Region TV channel Live streaming
USA — DAZN
Canada — DAZN
UK and Ireland DAZN 1 HD DAZN
Australia Fox Sports (503) Kayo

WATCH: Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson, live on DAZN

Now available as a Sky channel, DAZN 1 HD is exclusive to Sky.

Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson fight card

  • Jai Opetaia (c) vs. Jordan Thompson for the IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles
  • Cheavon Clarke vs. Vasil Ducar; Cruiserweights
  • Jimmy Sains vs. Bartlomiej Stryczek; Middleweights
  • Rhiannon Dixon vs. Katharina Thanderz; Lightweights
  • Ellie Scotney (c) vs. Laura Soledad Griffa for the IBF super bantamweight title
  • George Liddard vs. Peter Kramer; Middleweights
  • Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs. Joshua Ocampo; Lightweights
  • Shannon Ryan vs. Xenia Jorneac; Super Flyweights
  • Maisey Rose Courtney vs. Martina Berniel; Flyweights

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.