Fuc... great fight. Breidies is an absolute top operator, but perhaps already past it. Opetai looks like the real deal. Usyk vs fury and opetai vs breidies, what a fuc... great card!
WAR Opetaia. That fracture would be the worst I've ever seen in boxing, jaw was disconnected on both sides. Yet he still finished the fight, chin practically hanging off his face Incredible toughness
Great preview again @Rumsfeld What a first class fight. Opetaia for me but there will be moments in this where Briedis looks the goods.
I'll be in Riyadh for this card and I'm looking forward to this bout. I agree that Breidis' age and inactivity gives Opie to advantage. Opie by ko, mid rounds.
It was actually Opetaia's first serious opponent and he handled it brilliantly with a broken jaw which was an indication of his class and his enormous talent...
I suspect Jai will do much better in the rematch with an older Brediies. The longer camp probably helped Bredies out more but Jai was probably concerned about the short camp himself which will now be gone.
It would be better for the division if Opetaia wins again, as Briedis must be approaching retirement soon. Nevertheless I'm rooting for Briedis, as beating Opetaia would be a brilliant way of capping off a excellent and largely underrated career.
Agreed, Jai by clear decision - it's hard to see how Briedis does better at 39 with no activity for 2 years than the first encounter. It would be a real statement of Opetaia was to get a stoppage - Breidis is one tough operator
I didn't even realize till the other day that by the time they climb into the ring almost two years will have elapsed since the first fight and that coupled with Briedis being 39 and not having fought in all that time really tilts the balance in Jai's favour substantially more. I think it's wishful thinking to even expect a close to as good Briedis as we saw last time given the circumstances. That being said, he is extremely explosive and powerful and as tough as Jai is you can't rule out a puncher like Briedis against anyone. The odds are really stacked against him but hopefully he might be able to surprise us and Father Time and we'll get to see another cracker between two big punching elite skills teak-tough warriors
Dangerous fight for Jai & Australian boxing. While Briedis has been inactive, that can have the effect of freshening up a veteran fighter. Also Jai won't have the benefit of home court advantage second time around. They've done the right thing by getting him a couple of additional fights to build his capability but neither has been a distance fight. Plenty on the line & must watch viewing, I reckon.
This could be another classic fight. Opetaia is clearly the favorite as Breidis has been inactive and is 39, so he might not be able to pull the trigger. I won’t be picking anyone just hoping for a good clean fight.
Agreeing with others here -- another great video, @Rumsfeld. Makes me look forward to the fight all the more. Also makes me disdain the IBF (oh hell... all the alphabet soupers...) all the more.