Jai Opetaia made a long-awaited first defence of his IBF cruiserweight title at Wembley Arena, and it was an emphatic one, as he ruthlessly halted Jordan Thompson in the fourth round of their meeting.
Australian Opetaia (23-0, 18 KOs) impressively won the title last July, hurting Mairis Briedis several times on the way to a points win, while Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs) came in to this one with limited professional and amateur experience, but ranked high enough with the IBF to earn this title shot.
It was a punishing first round for the Brit, as Opetaia quicky found his range, and he winged in several punches that hurt the challenger, with a massive left hand, and a follow-up attack, which left him unsteady, and the bell came to his rescue.
The Aussie southpaw sensed blood, and more left hooks found the mark in round two, with Thompson bloodied, and when the 30-year-old decided to go on the attack in the third, it was to no avail, as the champion landed chopping shots to score a knockdown.
’Troublesome’ beat the count, but the end looked inevitable, and several punishing blows rained In on the resumption, but he was brave and lasted the round.
However, the conclusion came with seconds gone in round four. Opetaia landed a savage left hand that jarred Thompson, and a follow-up right had him staggering to the canvas as the referee waved the fight off.
Opetaia, 28, called for a unification clash in with WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith, who was watching on from ringside.
Scotney retains world title
Ellie Scotney is maturing into a special world champion, and the Croydon native defended her IBF super bantamweight title for the first time, as she clearly outscored Laura Soledad Griffa.
Scotney (8-0) was just too good for Griffa (20-9, 1 KO), coming through on the scorecards against 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91.
Clarke cruises past Ducar
Cheavon Clarke banked a useful ten rounds, and he took the vacant IBF International cruiserweight title with a clear points win against the always durable Vasil Ducar (14-7-2, 10 KOs).
Clarke (7-0, 5 KOs) took victory by two scores of 99-91, and a third at 98-92.
Dixon crowned European champion
Rhiannon Dixon became the new European lightweight champion, claiming the vacant title with a shutout victory against former world title challenger Katharina Thanderz (16-2, 2 KOs).
Dixon (9-0, 1 KOs) dominated, and took a 100-90 win on all three cards.
Career best win! 🔥@RhiannonDixon3 defeats Katharina Thanderz on points to claim the European Lightweight Title! 👏👏#DixonThanderz #OpetaiaThompson pic.twitter.com/Eq48RMihvS
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 30, 2023
Remaining Undercard
Shannon Ryan (6-0) won every round of eight at super flyweight against Xenia Jorneac (11-7, 3 KOs), and Maisey Rose Courtney (5-0) edged Martina Bernile (5-3-1) 58-56 in their six rounder at flyweight.
George Liddard (5-0, 3 KOs) won all six sessions against Peter Kramer (14-9-3, 10 KOs) in their middleweight meeting, and Ibraheem Sulaimaan (2-0, 1 KO) remained unbeaten by taking all four frames at lightweight against Joshua Ocampo (8-16-5, 6 KOs).
Jimmy Sains (1-0, 1 KO) made a solid debut, stopping Bartlomiej Stryczek (1-1) in the third of their scheduled four rounder at middleweight.
