Australia's Jai Opetaia has devastated English fighter Ellis Zorro with a one-punch knockout in the undercard of Saudi Arabia's Day of Reckoning. <br /><br />Opetaia vacated his IBF title earlier this week but was able to make a quick finish off his opponent in Riyadh, delivering a brutal blow in the first round of their encounter.<br /><br />Speaking to TNT after the fight, the Australian said of his opponent: 'He was too hesitant and he got clipped. That's just how it goes.' <br /><br />Opetaia - the unbeaten cruiserweight - had sought an exemption for a voluntary defense against Englishman Zorro in a reported payday of $680,000 (£535,000), but was forced to give up his belt, as the IBF wanted him to face Latvian mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis next. <br /><br />Briedis, who is currently injured and hasn't fought since he was beaten by Opetaia in July 2022, even permitted Opetaia to fight Zorro first, but it was not allowed.<br /><br />Opetaia felt that he could not turn down the opportunity of a big payday, following weeks of negotiations about a compromise between his manager Mick Francis, and the IBF. <br /><br />Saturday's victory was Opetaia's 19th KO win, with five wins coming via a decision. <br /><br />Anthony Joshua is looking for his third win in a row as he takes on Otto Wallin in the main attraction in Riyadh on Saturday night. <br /><br />Jarrell Miller took to Instagram to slam an all-English refereeing line-up for his fight against Daniel Dubois but vowed to ensure that the contest would not require a decision. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Filip Hrgovic also won in his first round, stopping Mark de Mori within the first two minutes of their fight in Riyadh.
