sport news Jai Opetaia declares 'It's My Time' ahead of world title rematch on Tyson ... trends now
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A 'dark and moody' Jai Opetaia feels he belongs at boxing's top table as the Australian cruiserweight prepares to win back his world title in Saudi Arabia.
The unbeaten 28-year-old's (24-0) rematch with Latvia's Mairis Briedis is the co-feature on Sunday morning's (AEST) undisputed world heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh.
The pair waged war for the IBF world title on the Gold Coast almost two years ago, Opetaia defying a twice-broken jaw to upset the champion in a unanimous points decision.
Briedis, 39, hasn't fought since.
Opetaia was dodged by other belt-holders, eventually securing a defence against the hapless Jordan Thompson in London and then wiping Ellis Zorro with a first-round knockout in his Riyadh debut last December.
Jay Opetaia is hoping to end a recent run of Aussies losing world title shots when he takes on Mairis Briedis
Opetaia, from the Gold Coast in Queensland, broke his jaw and still bravely managed to beat Briedis last time they fought in 2022
Opetaia gets his world title shot against Briedis on the Tyson Fury/Oleksandr Usyk undercard
The second of those fights forced Opetaia to hand in his IBF strap, the organisation refusing to sanction the bout and demanding he instead fight Briedis despite the
