RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a spectacular display of skill and power, Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia secured a phenomenal first-round knockout victory over British boxer Ellis Zorro on Saturday, December 23, at the Kingdom Arena. This highly anticipated bout, part of the “Day of Reckoning” fight card, showcased Opetaia’s dominance in the cruiserweight division.
The Sydney southpaw, known for his formidable technique and strength, ended the fight abruptly 2 minutes and 56 seconds into the first round with a decisive left hand. This victory improved Opetaia’s impressive record to 24-0, with 19 of those wins coming via knockout.
Interestingly, Opetaia entered the ring without his title, having been forced to vacate it earlier in the week due to the governing body’s refusal to sanction his fight against Zorro. Nevertheless, his performance in Riyadh was nothing short of championship caliber.
For Ellis Zorro, this match marked his first career defeat, bringing his record to 17-1, with 7 KOs. The London native’s international debut proved challenging against a seasoned and determined Opetaia.
Reflecting on his victory, Opetaia expressed his readiness for future challenges and his excitement for what lies ahead. “I trained for 12 rounds, I prepared for 12 rounds, and if the knockout comes – it comes,” he said post-win. His focus and determination were evident in his performance, highlighting his status as a top contender in the cruiserweight division.
Promoter Eddie Hearn voiced his ambition for Opetaia, envisioning him as the undisputed cruiserweight champion and foreseeing a potential rise to the heavyweight division. “He should be standing here as IBF world champion. But it doesn’t matter, because everybody knows, every fight fan knows, he is the number one cruiserweight in the world,” Hearn stated.
Jai Opetaia’s victory in Riyadh is not just a testament to his skill but also a statement of his resilience and ambition. As he looks to the future, the boxing world watches with anticipation, eager to see what this formidable athlete will achieve next.
