Jai Opetaia won the IBF Cruiserweight championship with a 12-round unanimous decision over longstanding champion Mairis Briedis in a entertaining war at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia.
In round one, Briedis was cut over his right eye. In round four, Opetaia landed a big uppercut that drew blood from the nose of Briedis. Opetaia dominated the action by landing hard shots and moving, not letting the champion get into any rhythm.
Seemingly way behind, Briedis landed two hard shots in round 10 that hurt Opetaia, but the hometown challenger was able to withstand the fire. In round 12, Opetaia was bleeding from the mouth. He had to hang on as he took huge shots in the final round.
Opetaia, 198.42 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113 and is now 22-0. Briedis, 199.08 lbs of Riga, LA is 28-2.
Hardman Obliterates Hartas in 1st
Isaac Hardman scored a scary first-round stoppage over Beau Hartas in the opening round of the 10-round middleweight fight.
Hardman landed a devastating right to the face that sent Hartas plummeting face-first to the canvas where he laid motionless for several minutes. Hartas came-to and was able to leave the ring on his own power. The time was 2:49.
Hardman, 160 lbs of Queensland is now 13-1 with 11 knockouts. Hartas, 159 1/2 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is 6-2.
Wallace Decisions Chevalier
Conor Wallace won a 10-round split decision over world-ranked Faris Chevalier in a light heavyweight bout.
Wallace, 174 1/2 lbs of Brisbane, AUS won by scores of 98-92 twice while Chevalier won a card 96-94.
Wallace is now 9-1. Chevalier, 174 1/2 lbs of Melbourne, AUS is 13-2.
Mazoudier Decisions Camilleri
Koen Mazoudier won a 10-round split decision over Joel Camilleri in a junior middleweight fight.
Mazoudier, 152 3/4 lbs of Blacktown, AUD won by scores of 99-92, 98-92 and a third card rea 96-95 for Camilleri. Maziudier is 10-2. Camilleri, 153 1/4 lbs of Brisbane, AS 22-8-1.
This was a rematch of a November 17, 2021 bout where Mazoudier also took a split decision
Robertson stops Fernandez in 10
Taylah Robertson dominated and battered Yoselin Fernandez in the 10th and final round of their super flyweight contest.
Robertson beat up Fernandez and finally the fight was stopped at 33 seconds of round 10.
Robertson, 114 3/4 lbs of Brisbane, AUS is 6-1 with two knockouts. Fernandez, 114 lbs of Caracas, VEN 11-2.
Coolwell stops Ladrada in 4
Dana Coolwell stops Lorenz Ladrada in round four of their scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.
In round four, Coolwell landed a right uppercut that was followed by a crushing left to the body that sent Coolwell down for the count at 2:59.
Coolwell, 125 3/4 lbs of Queensland, AUS is 8-2 with six knockouts. Ladrada, 125 1/4 lbs of The Philippines is 11-3-1.
