Opetaia sues IBF to return cruiserweight world title

Opetaia sues IBF to return cruiserweight world titleImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Undefeated Jai Opetaia is a two-time IBF cruiserweight world champion with a record of 30 wins, with 23 stoppagesByKal SajadBBC Sport boxing journalistPublished4 minutes agoBoxer Jai Opetaia has started legal action in the United States to force the IBF to hand back the cruiserweight world title. The Australian claims the sanctioning body acted unlawfully when it stripped him of his belt following his first fight with promotional outfit Zuffa Boxing.Opetaia filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Nevada seeking to have his title reinstated, recover damages and legal costs, and prevent the IBF from naming another cruiserweight champion while the litigation continues.The IBF declined to comment, with a spokesperson telling BBC Sport: "We will release a statement when it is appropriate."The 19-page complaint - obtained by BBC Sport - claims rival governing bodies have discouraged champions from facing him, citing David Benavidez's decision not to pursue a fight after Opetaia was stripped and alleging the WBC threatened to strip Noel Mikaelian if he agreed to face the Australian instead."The conspirators and, most recently, the WBC have taken steps to freeze out Jai from other future bouts," the lawsuit says. The complaint also names representatives from sanction bodies the WBC, WBA and WBO - BBC Sport has contacted them for comment.Opetaia stripped of IBF title over Zuffa belt boutPublished24 MarchWhat is Zuffa Boxing and can it shake up the sport?Published5 JuneThe case centres on the fallout from 31-year-old Opetaia's decision to sign with Zuffa Boxing, the new promotion launched by UFC president Dana White and Saudi Arabian-owned Sela and American company TKO.Opetaia's first fight under the promotion came against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas in March. His IBF world title was due to be defended on the same night that Zuf...