The Fight
Brit Jordan Thompson faced a devastating loss in his cruiserweight clash with Jai Opetaia, leaving his face temporarily unrecognizable as blood spurted from his wounds. The former tennis prospect challenged the unbeaten Aussie for the IBF 200lbs title at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, but it proved to be a complete mismatch from the beginning.
A One-Sided Beatdown
In the first round, Opetaia repeatedly landed power shots that bludgeoned Thompson's nose and drew blood. Thompson, although brave, was outgunned and dropped in the third round. Despite being badly rocked before the end of the stanza, Thompson's corner pushed him to continue.
A Brutal Knockout
Opetaia took advantage of the opportunity to secure his 18th career stoppage by landing a straight left and a vicious right hook that sent Thompson to the canvas. The punishing blow nearly contorted Thompson's bloodied face, sending spurts of blood through the air.
Opetaia's Victory
A fired-up Opetaia celebrated his first title defense, confidently declaring, "I stand here in this ring and I'm born for this s**t. I felt like this entire fight week was about Jordan Thompson. It was nothing to do with me." Opetaia showcased his footwork and power, proving himself as a formidable opponent.
Eddie Hearn's Praise
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn took to Instagram to commend both fighters, hailing Opetaia's performance and predicting his future success. Hearn also gave a shoutout to Thompson for his bravery, hinting at a potential move to the heavyweight division in the future.
