The International Boxing Federation has forced Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia to vacate his title after his decision to take a $670,000 payday in Saudi Arabia.
Days away from appearing on a fight card featuring Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, Opetaia was told he will no longer be the governing body's champion since he will take to the ring against England's Ellis Zorro (17-0, 7 KO's) for a reported $US450,000 on Sunday (AEDT).
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The IBF rejected an appeal from Opetaia's team late last week and said if he did not vacate he could be penalised or stripped of the belt.
Currently training in Saudi Arabia ahead of the bout on Sunday, Opetaia expressed disappointment.
"It's bullshit. It's f--ing not right," he told Main Event.
"They've really left me with no choice, you know what I mean? This is a massive card that I can't say no to. So they've stripped me.
"But it is what it is. They can do what they want. I'll get the belts back. All I've got to do is train hard, keep winning, and they'll come back to me."
The IBF wanted Opetaia to have a rematch with Mairis Briedis in a less lucrative bout in a title defence first but Opetaia's promoters scored the Aussie a three-fight $2 million deal in Saudi Arabia.
Addtionally, Breidis gave Opetaia his blessing to fight Zorro before they take to the ring next year.
"It's very short-sighted of the IBF if they go down this road," veteran English promoter Frank Warren told the BBC.
"Everybody on board, including the number one [mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis], were all happy for it to take place.
"But, you know what, the fight is going on.
"Everybody knows who he [Opetaia] is, they know he's considered to be the best at his weight out there so we'll just get on with it and the fight will happen.
"It's too big a fight not to happen and it's too big an opportunity for the fighters not to fight.
"It [the IBF's decision] is ridiculous really."
The International Boxing Federation has forced Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia to vacate his title after his decision to take a $670,000 payday in Saudi Arabia.
Days away from appearing on a fight card featuring Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, Opetaia was told he will no longer be the governing body's champion since he will take to the ring against England's Ellis Zorro (17-0, 7 KO's) for a reported $US450,000 on Sunday (AEDT).
READ MORE: Grim sign for Test cricket that must be addressed
READ MORE: Banner ban at Perth Test to stand for rest of summer
READ MORE: No.1 pick draft picks beautiful tribute to grandfather
The IBF rejected an appeal from Opetaia's team late last week and said if he did not vacate he could be penalised or stripped of the belt.
Currently training in Saudi Arabia ahead of the bout on Sunday, Opetaia expressed disappointment.
"It's bullshit. It's f--ing not right," he told Main Event.
"They've really left me with no choice, you know what I mean? This is a massive card that I can't say no to. So they've stripped me.
"But it is what it is. They can do what they want. I'll get the belts back. All I've got to do is train hard, keep winning, and they'll come back to me."
The IBF wanted Opetaia to have a rematch with Mairis Briedis in a less lucrative bout in a title defence first but Opetaia's promoters scored the Aussie a three-fight $2 million deal in Saudi Arabia.
Addtionally, Breidis gave Opetaia his blessing to fight Zorro before they take to the ring next year.
"It's very short-sighted of the IBF if they go down this road," veteran English promoter Frank Warren told the BBC.
"Everybody on board, including the number one [mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis], were all happy for it to take place.
"But, you know what, the fight is going on.
"Everybody knows who he [Opetaia] is, they know he's considered to be the best at his weight out there so we'll just get on with it and the fight will happen.
"It's too big a fight not to happen and it's too big an opportunity for the fighters not to fight.
"It [the IBF's decision] is ridiculous really."
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