Key Takeaways:
- Jordan Thompson, a towering cruiserweight fighter, is set to make a significant impact in his division when he faces Jai Opetaia for the IBF and Ring Magazine championships at the OVO Arena on September 30.
- This 12-round bout, along with undercard action, will be broadcast on DAZN in the U.S. and U.K.
- Thompson, who signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing in June 2021, aims to seize this opportunity and become a world champion.
Thompson’s Rise to the Challenge
Jordan Thompson, the world-rated cruiserweight contender, is gearing up for a fierce battle against Jai Opetaia. While Opetaia is the favored fighter, promoter Eddie Hearn sees immense potential in Thompson. Hearn believes that Thompson has the qualities to become a superstar in the sport, citing his impressive physique, articulate communication, powerful punching, and exceptional athleticism.
The upcoming fight is seen as a thrilling and perilous showdown that could elevate Thompson’s status to the No.1 cruiserweight in the world with just one victory.
⚔️ Jai Opetai 🆚 Jordan Thompson
🏆 IBF cruiserweight title
📅 Saturday, September 30
⌚ 7 p.m. UK / 2 p.m. ET
📍OVO Arena Wembley, London.
📺 LIve @DAZNBoxing #OpetaiThompson Fight card: 🥊Ellie Scotney 🆚 Laura Griffa :IBF World Super-Bantamweight Title
Cheavon Clarke… pic.twitter.com/nephKFJM33— FightersTalkTV (@FightersTalkTV) September 23, 2023
Getting to Know Jordan Thompson
Background: Born in Manchester and representing London, Jordan Thompson embarked on his professional boxing journey in 2015. Despite a year of inactivity in 2020, Thompson has been on an impressive trajectory, with five fights in 2021 alone. His record stands at 15 wins, with 12 of those victories coming by way of knockout, boasting an impressive 80-percent KO rate. His latest fight saw him secure a TKO victory against Luke Watkins in April, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the cruiserweight division.
IBF Ranking: Currently rated No. 5 in the world by the IBF, Thompson is steadily climbing the ranks and eyeing his shot at the championship.
Remarkable Height Advantage
Height: Jordan Thompson stands at a remarkable 6 feet 6 inches, which is exceptionally tall for a cruiserweight. To put this into perspective, former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is 6 feet 3 inches tall. Thompson’s height gives him a unique physical advantage in his weight class, setting the stage for intriguing matchups.
🎨 ⚔️ ARTISTIC VIOLENCE
Britain's undefeated, big-punching Jordan Thompson with the life-changing opportunity to dethrone the #1 Cruiserweight Jai Opetaia and take his IBF and Ring magazine titles this Saturday in Wembley live on DAZN. #OpetaiaThompson pic.twitter.com/0ILgVsAo9J
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) September 25, 2023
Opetaia’s Height: In contrast, his upcoming opponent, Jai Opetaia, stands at 6 feet 2 inches, making Thompson’s height advantage even more prominent.
As Jordan Thompson prepares to step into the ring against Jai Opetaia, the boxing world eagerly awaits this clash of talents and physique, recognizing the potential for an exciting and historic showdown in the cruiserweight division.