Jai Opetaia and Tyson Fury sparring rumours addressed
The former cruiserweight world champion left Fury’s camp after just a few rounds of sparring in Saudi Arabia
Fox Australia broadcaster Ben Damon reported on Sunday, January 21: “Jai Opetaia did five rounds of sparring with Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia but, with a lack of orthodox sparring in Fury’s camp, Opetaia has now returned to Australia to continue his own preparations for the planned Mairis Briedis rematch at #FuryUsyk.”
Damon then reported that rumours of Opetaia, 28, dropping Fury, 35, are not true, while Opetaia’s co-promoters, Tasman Fighters, released their own statement addressing the matter: “Jai Opetaia has recently returned from Saudi Arabia where he sparred and trained with Tyson Fury. They were fantastic, competitive rounds and an incredible experience for Jai.
“However, any talk of either boxer being dropped is not true. Jai is now back in Australia finalising his preparation to defend his world title and cannot wait to do so in Saudi Arabia.”
Keant heavyweight sensation, Moses Itauma, also in Fury’s camp for sparring, addressed the rumours, “There are a lot of stories I hear. I have been in the camp and Jai has been here. I am scrolling through my Instagram and I have seen someone reckons that Jai has dropped Tyson in sparring. I was like ‘What?’ Stories are stories and there always going to be stories.”
Australia’s Opetaia is preparing to fight Mairis Briedis for a second time, he first outpointed in 2022 to win the vacant IBF cruiserweight title. The Aussie was stripped of the IBF belt in December, when the governing body wouldn’t allow him to take a second voluntary defence against Briton Ellis Zorro on the Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin undercard last December in Riyadh. The IBF had already allowed one ‘keep-busy’ fight and couldn’t permit another under their strict rules. Opetaia wisely gave up the belt to receive a career-best payday, and now gets the chance to win back what is rightfully his.
Opetaia knocked out Zorro in brutal fashion in round one to stay unbeaten at 24-0 (19 knockouts) and retain the Ring magazine title.