After Zuffa cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia filed a lawsuit against the IBF alleging a conspiracy involving sanctioning bodies and Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn announced he will pursue defamation charges against Opetaia. Hearn instructed his lawyers to demand a retraction of any statements that link him to corruption within boxing or face legal action.
Hearn’s defamation threat
Speaking to IFLTV, Eddie Hearn described Opetaia’s accusations as “unbelievably serious” and warned that he would sue if Opetaia did not withdraw Hearn’s name from the complaint against the IBF. Hearn referenced his previous legal history, including action against Jake Paul, to underline his readiness to litigate.
“You wanna mention my name when you talk about corruption in boxing? I’ve instructed my lawyers today to write to his lawyers and let him know that you withdraw me from that complaint, you retract any statement or I’ll sue you for defamation,” Hearn said. Emphasising Matchroom’s “squeaky clean” reputation built over four decades, he cautioned Opetaia and those advising him that there would be consequences.
Opetaia’s IBF lawsuit
Earlier this year, Jai Opetaia joined Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing and made his promotional debut in March, defeating Brandon Glanton for the Zuffa cruiserweight crown. Reports emerged that Opetaia has since lodged legal action against the IBF, accusing it, alongside the WBA, WBC, WBO and Hearn, of conspiring to strip him of his IBF title as punishment for signing with Zuffa.
The IBF had stripped Opetaia of its cruiserweight belt ahead of his Zuffa debut after the promotion declared it would not recognise any sanctioning body titles. Opetaia’s lawsuit seeks to challenge this decision, claiming a coordinated effort to undermine his status in the division.
Feud with Zuffa and Dana White
Hearn’s clash with Opetaia forms part of a broader rivalry between the Matchroom boss and Zuffa head Dana White. Since the start of the year, Hearn has publicly sparred with White over the latter’s venture into boxing, further inflamed when Hearn signed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to his new management firm.
Attempts to broker a truce, including peace talks proposed by Turki Alalshikh, failed when White declined to attend meetings with Hearn. The latest legal threats underscore the depth of animosity between the two promoters and their respective stables.
With defamation proceedings looming, the boxing world will watch closely to see whether Opetaia retracts his statements or faces a court battle with one of the sport’s most influential figures.
FAQ
What has Eddie Hearn threatened to do to Jai Opetaia?
Eddie Hearn has threatened to sue Jai Opetaia for defamation unless Opetaia withdraws Hearn’s name from the complaint in Opetaia’s lawsuit against the IBF and retracts any statements linking him to corruption in boxing.
Why did Jai Opetaia file a lawsuit against the IBF?
Opetaia alleges that the IBF, along with the WBA, WBC, WBO and former promoter Eddie Hearn, conspired to strip him of his IBF cruiserweight title after he signed with Zuffa Boxing.
How did the IBF strip Opetaia of his title?
The IBF removed Opetaia’s cruiserweight title ahead of his promotional debut with Zuffa earlier this year, citing Zuffa’s refusal to recognise sanctioning body belts as the reason.
How does this dispute fit into the wider Hearn vs White feud?
This legal conflict adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between Eddie Hearn and Dana White, which intensified after Hearn signed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and has seen failed peace talks brokered by Turki Alalshikh.
