Jai Opetaia Fight Time Announced For Cruiserweight Title Defense

Jai Opetaia Fight Time Announced For Cruiserweight Title Defense...

Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will defend his IBF title against Jordan Thompson in a highly anticipated bout on March 12, 2026, at London’s O2 Arena. The fight time has been confirmed for 2 PM ET (7 PM GMT), with the main card starting at 12 PM ET. The event is trending in the U.S. due to Opetaia’s rising global profile and American broadcaster DAZN’s exclusive coverage.

Opetaia (24-0, 19 KOs) last fought in December 2025, retaining his belt with a dominant TKO victory. Thompson (17-0, 14 KOs), a British contender, represents his toughest challenge yet. The matchup has drawn attention from U.S. boxing fans, particularly after Opetaia’s recent callouts of undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

DAZN’s U.S. streaming rights have amplified interest, with the platform promoting the fight heavily during UFC and Top Rank broadcasts. Social media engagement spiked after Opetaia posted training footage with former opponent Mairis Briedis, who he dethroned in 2022. Analysts suggest a win could position Opetaia for a U.S. stadium fight later this year.

Underdog Thompson has dismissed Opetaia’s power, telling Sky Sports, “He hasn’t faced anyone with my speed.” Betting markets currently favor Opetaia at -300. The undercard features two U.S. fighters: lightweight prospect Raymond Ford and super-middleweight contender Diego Pacheco.

With cruiserweight division activity increasing after Canelo Alvarez’s brief move up in 2024, this fight could reshape the title picture. Fans can watch via DAZN PPV ($24.99) or attend screenings at select Barcadia locations in New York and Las Vegas.