Australia's Jai Opetaia has devastated English fighter Ellis Zorro with a one-punch knockout in the undercard of Saudi Arabia's Day of Reckoning.
Opetaia vacated his IBF title earlier this week but was able to make a quick finish off his opponent in Riyadh, delivering a brutal blow in the first round of their encounter.
Speaking to TNT after the fight, the Australian said of his opponent: 'He was too hesitant and he got clipped. That's just how it goes.'
Opetaia - the unbeaten cruiserweight - had sought an exemption for a voluntary defense against Englishman Zorro in a reported payday of $680,000 (£535,000), but was forced to give up his belt, as the IBF wanted him to face Latvian mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis next.
Briedis, who is currently injured and hasn't fought since he was beaten by Opetaia in July 2022, even permitted Opetaia to fight Zorro first, but it was not allowed.
Opetaia felt that he could not turn down the opportunity of a big payday, following weeks of negotiations about a compromise between his manager Mick Francis, and the IBF.
Saturday's victory was Opetaia's 19th KO win, with five wins coming via a decision.
Anthony Joshua is looking for his third win in a row as he takes on Otto Wallin in the main attraction in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Jarrell Miller took to Instagram to slam an all-English refereeing line-up for his fight against Daniel Dubois but vowed to ensure that the contest would not require a decision.
Meanwhile, Filip Hrgovic also won in his first round, stopping Mark de Mori within the first two minutes of their fight in Riyadh.
Opetaia vacated his IBF title earlier this week but was able to make a quick finish off his opponent in Riyadh, delivering a brutal blow in the first round of their encounter.
Speaking to TNT after the fight, the Australian said of his opponent: 'He was too hesitant and he got clipped. That's just how it goes.'
Opetaia - the unbeaten cruiserweight - had sought an exemption for a voluntary defense against Englishman Zorro in a reported payday of $680,000 (£535,000), but was forced to give up his belt, as the IBF wanted him to face Latvian mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis next.
Briedis, who is currently injured and hasn't fought since he was beaten by Opetaia in July 2022, even permitted Opetaia to fight Zorro first, but it was not allowed.
Opetaia felt that he could not turn down the opportunity of a big payday, following weeks of negotiations about a compromise between his manager Mick Francis, and the IBF.
Saturday's victory was Opetaia's 19th KO win, with five wins coming via a decision.
Anthony Joshua is looking for his third win in a row as he takes on Otto Wallin in the main attraction in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Jarrell Miller took to Instagram to slam an all-English refereeing line-up for his fight against Daniel Dubois but vowed to ensure that the contest would not require a decision.
Meanwhile, Filip Hrgovic also won in his first round, stopping Mark de Mori within the first two minutes of their fight in Riyadh.
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