October 12: Jai Opetaia vs Jack Massey
IBF World and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19KO) will defend his titles to Briton Jack Massey (22-2, 12KO) on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 200-pounders will clash on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev and Dmitriy Bivol’s undisputed light-heavyweight showdown.
A request was made by the Australian’s team for a voluntary defence to the Englishman, which was accepted.
The International Boxing Federation released the following statement on September 25:
On September 17, 2024, the IBF received a request for an exception from Michael Francis on behalf of IBF Cruiserweight Champion Jai Opetaia to be allowed to face the #11 ranked Cruiserweight Jack Massey on October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The IBF Board of Directors met to discuss this matter pursuant to IBF Rule 11. E. A majority of the directors determined that the request should be granted with the following conditions:
1. The Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey bout must take place no later than October 12, 2024.
2. The full executed contracts for this bout must be received by the IBF in fifteen days or no later than or by Thursday October 10, 2024.
3. The winner of the Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey bout must defend the IBF Cruiserweight title within ninety days of October 10, 2024, or no later than Friday, January 20, 2025.
4. The IBF will not entertain any additional exception requests to further delay the Cruiserweight mandatory.
Aussie southpaw, Opetaia, comes into the fight with a perfect record, having recently defeated the likes of Mairis Briedis (twice), and two other Brits – Ellis Zorro and Jordan Thompson.
29 from Sydney, the undefeated titlist is No.1 in The Ring Magazine ratings.
‘One Smack’ Massey is 31 from Chapel-en-le-Firth. Managed by Kevin Maree, the 6’4″ cruiser upset Isaac Chamberlain in his last fight in June at Selhurst Park to win the European and Commonwealth belts.
In January 2023, he moved up to heavyweight for a big money fight with former world champ, Joseph Parker, taking the New Zealander the distance over 10-rounds.