IBF make decision on stripping Jai Opetaia after Zuffa Boxing debut
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has made a decision on sanctioning Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton’s cruiserweight bout, with the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title already confirmed to be on the line.
On Sunday (8 March), Sydney’s Opetaia will take on Atlanta’s Glanton at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 30-year-old Australian will defend his Ring Magazine cruiserweight title in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 04.
Of course, Zuffa is backed by UFC president Dana White as well as Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, with the promotion disrupting the boxing world since its introduction to the sport.
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In February, British fighter Conor Benn penned a shock deal with Zuffa, with Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn accusing the boxer of blindsiding him after his decade-long association with the Essex-based promotion.
Since then, White and Hearn have become embroiled in a war of words, with the American branding the Englishman a “p****” for his response to the split.
“This guy’s supposed to be your friend and you’re f—ing crying?” White said.
“Get it together, man. This is the fight game. Fighters come and go. We’re literally beating up babies.”
Hearn has responded by announcing the Matchroom Talent Agency, which has signed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
The agency will advise Aspinall on commercial matters while he remains signed to the UFC.
And it’s not just Hearn who is not Zuffa’s biggest fan.
As reported by BoxingScene, the IBF has withdrawn its sanctioning of Opetaia’s clash against Glanton due to the classification of the Zuffa belt as a championship.
“The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has withdrawn sanction of the optional defense of the IBF Cruiserweight Title between champion Jai Opetaia and #15 ranked contender Brandon Glanton scheduled for March 8, 2026,” the IBF told BoxingScene via a statement.
“With sanction withdrawn, the Opetaia vs. Glanton bout is now an Unsanctioned Contest. IBF Rule 5.H. states in part - An Unsanctioned Contest is a fight which the IBF has not formally approved for sanction or where sanction has been formally withdrawn. If a Champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the Champion wins or loses the bout.”
Meanwhile, IBF rule 5.E.1 states: “No Champion shall box or sign to box a Champion or for another championship of another sanctioning body in seeking to unify a title unless prior approval is granted by the Championships Committee. Once the IBF has sent out the notice of the date of the purse bid, or once a contract has been signed for a mandatory bout, no request for a Unification Contest will be approved.
“A Champion’s failure to comply with this requirement will constitute sufficient cause for the Championships Committee and Board of Directors to consider withdrawing recognition of the title and to remove him from the IBF ratings.”
The Australian will technically be stripped of his IBF strap once the fight starts.
Currently, the IBF recognises the WBA, WBC and WBO as sanctioning bodies with which its belt can be unified.
The Ring and Zuffa belts will remain on the line.
Topics: Boxing, Dana White, Eddie Hearn, Conor Benn
Luke Davies