The IBF cruiserweight title picture may be heading for an unusual scenario after the latest rankings revealed the division currently lists no number one or number two contenders.
That omission leaves the sanctioning body without its usual pathway to order a vacant title fight.
The situation has emerged in the wake of Jai Opetaia’s win over Brandon Glanton, which left the Australian at the center of the dispute surrounding the IBF championship.
Opetaia has been through the wringer through no fault of his own and still believed he was IBF champion and Ring belt holder on Sunday night after defeating Glanton, even though the title had effectively been withdrawn from the bout.
The Australian carried the belts everywhere with him throughout fight week and into the arena, such is his determination to remain the IBF champion.
If Zuffa wanted a belt holder willing to quietly surrender a sanctioning body title in favor of its new championship without kicking up a fuss, it appears they backed the wrong horse in Opetaia.
The undefeated cruiserweight has repeatedly spoken about his desire to collect all four belts and become undisputed champion.
IBF Cruiserweight Rankings Problem
World Boxing News expects Opetaia to lobby for reinstatement, particularly given the unusual state of the rankings.
Under standard IBF rules, the top two rated contenders normally meet when a title becomes vacant.
However, with both the No.1 and No.2 positions currently unfilled, the governing body may first need to reshape the contender picture before any championship fight can even be ordered.
IBF challengers
One possibility would be an emergency eliminator to establish new mandatory contenders.
Another option could see the IBF elevate the next available fighters and order the number-three and number-four ranked contenders — currently Chris Billam-Smith and Mateusz Masternak — to contest the belt – an unusual step under IBF rules.
Whatever happens next, Opetaia will likely be heartbroken to learn he never truly stood a chance of keeping the title once the sanctioning dispute unfolded.
The IBF has already stated that Zuffa Boxing never contacted the organization to seek sanction for the Glanton fight.
Dana White’s threat of legal action could yet create a different outcome than the norm, although the IBF has long been known as one of boxing’s strictest sanctioning bodies when it comes to following its own rules.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
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