IBF strips Jai Opetaia of the cruiserweight world championship ahead Zuffa world title bout

Where I did he say this

 

I can see all the Sanctioning Bodies coming together and doing the same thing tbh they will see this as a power play by Dana etc,any Title/Belt holders that jump over to Zuffa will be stripped automatically,the Sanctioning Bodies will want to protect what is there’s and has been for decades. Rightly or wrongly depending how people see it this could well be a thing,I would be more surprised if this course of action is not taken tbh.

 

I agree the other existing bodies will likely follow the IBF's lead but speaking of the other organizations, is it really 'theirs' to protect?

Until 1983 nobody had ever heard of the IBF.

Until 1988 nobody had ever heard of the WBO.

They were allowed into the old boys club when, in the scheme of how long boxing has been around, they were just more, opportunistic, Johnny-Come-Latelys.

Boxing belongs to the people. Not 4 greedy groups of people with little regard for anything other than their bank balances.

 

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has withdrawn sanction of the optional defense of the IBF Cruiserweight Title between champion Jai Opetaia and #15 ranked contender Brandon Glanton scheduled for March 8,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 initial sanction followed discussions that began on February 11, when IBF President Daryl Peoples, after learning about the contest on social media, reminded Opetaia's representatives of IBF Rule 5. governing champions and unification bouts. After continued dialogue, on March 3, Opetaia's team confirmed the fight would not be a unification and that any belt awarded by Zuffa would be "characterized as a trophy or token of recognition." The IBF has not had any discussion regarding this bout with any direct representative from Zuffa Boxing. However, the organization received assurances from Opetaia's representatives that this would be the case. The IBF approved the bout under these conditions as the bout would no longer conflict with IBF Rule 5.E.2 which states in part - "For the purpose of unification of titles, the preeminent Champions of the World Boxing Association ("WBA"), the World Boxing Council ("WBC"), and the World Boxing Organization ("WBO") may be designated as

"elite contenders" and may be permitted to fight for the unified title."

The press conference held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, today (March 6) made it clear that the Zuffa World Cruiserweight title would still be contested on March 8. The IBF reserves the right to sanction title bouts alongside other sanctioning bodies that comply with the same mandated regulations followed by the organization.

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." The organization's rules don't always yield the preferred or popular outcome, but they provide structure and transparency, serving not just the champion but also those waiting for the opportunity to fight for the title. The pursuit of undisputed status - by unifying the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO titles - represents the highest ambition in the sport. The IBF is committed to providing professional boxers worldwide with meaningful opportunities to advance their careers.

 

Yeah it's became a little clearer now after all that bull **** floating around. Cheers

 

The irony is, until the Ali act amendments are passed, the Zuffa belt is only "characterized as a trophy or token of recognition."

 

Gay

 

If Turki and Dana stick fat then if the orgs do that, orgs will be ****ed.

 

It's been good so far and the cards have included top level fighters who had been pushed to the sidelines.

 

deserved tbh

 

At the weigh in they are all wearing the same clothes.
Left side dark grey, right side light grey.

not used to this weird stuff as I don’t watch ufc lol

 

These sanctioning bodies are a joke. They serve no purpose other than to take a % of the boxers' earnings. Why do you need the IBF, WBC, WBA, etc?

Also, why is this fight being fought on Sunday?

 

When this fight takes place I'll be in school taking a test (to americans and others i live in australia so it would be 1pm the next day for me). Pretty stupid in my opinion

 

Fully agree with you,I used the term “theirs” simply because this is how the Sanctioning Bodies will see it,like most opportunists they will want to keep hold of everything they currently have with no change to the current status quo imho ! With most fans wanting one Division,one Champion with the Champion more active as it was before the multi belt era,I think this will now be further away .