London's Jordan Thompson (15-0) challenges IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia at the OVO Arena in Wembley (London) on Saturday, live on DAZN. Opetaia is unbeaten in 22 fights, and he had been expected to fight mandatory challenger Mateusz Masternak and then Richard Riakporhe, but both fighters pulled out before a fight could be made. Mairis Breidis was unable to challenge for his old belt as a result of injury allowing Thomspon to step in.

 

"It was a tiny bit of a shock, but I've worked my way up the rankings," Thompson told the BBC. "Whatever happened with the other boxers passing up the opportunity, I was next on the list. There are a few people out there saying I'm not deserving of it, but I've done what I've need to do, won my fights. I feel like the shot has been earned. Nothing great comes from comfort zones. To go in there as an underdog, that means a lot to me. I've got a load of people to prove wrong, but I also have a lot of people who have stuck by me, so I have those to prove right."

 

Thompson hopes that a win will take him on to bigger opportunities.  He added: "This is the fight where I can secure that belt and lock in those real big fights, against those big names, domestically or world scene.”