Photos: Jai Opetaia Beats Down, Stops Jordan Thompson in Four Rounds

Wembley Arena, Wembley - In a battle for the IBF cruiserweight title, Jai Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs) battered and stopped unbeaten Jordan Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs) in four rounds. (photos by Mark Robinson)

The bout was the first defense for Opetaia, who captured the belt in July 2022 with a twelve round decision over Mairis Briedis. Opetaia sustained a fractured jaw in the bout and the injury took months of recovery.

Opetaia found his range in the first round and badly hurt Thompson in the closing moments. He appeared to have Thompson ready to go as the bell rang to end the round.

In the second, Opetaia continued to unload with accurate, hard punches that buzzed Thompson and bloodied his nose. During the third, Thompson stood toe to toe and was trading with Opetaia, who rallied with heavy shots to score a knockdown. Thompson got up on unsteady legs and was getting tagged often with heavy shots to the head and body. At the end of the third, Thompson was nearly stopped as he got cracked by a shot that took away his legs. Once again, he was saved by the bell. 

The fourth saw Opetaia come out ready to close the show, as he blasted Thompson down with heavy blows and the fight was waved off.