By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Cruiserweight Mateusz Masternak has withdrawn from facing IBF world champion Jai Opetaia. The fight was mandated by the IBF and purse bids were ordered only for Masternak’s team to withdraw from negotiations and cancel the purse bid process.
“What a waste of time,” said Opetaia. “He (Masternak) used to be a good fighter, now he’s a has-been. I would’ve retired him. If you don’t want the smoke, why waste the last few months talking shit?”
Opetaia’s manager Michael Francis was equally as scathing. “They’ve really done nothing but stall, duck and dive. They should be embarrassed. If they didn’t want to face Jai they could’ve told us months ago. They’re going to go a much softer route by facing Chris Billam-Smith and now we will negotiate with Boxxer Promotions about bringing Richard Riakporhe to Australia. That’s our intention and having an Aussie smash a Pom always goes down well here. Continue reading “Opetaia-Masternak implodes. Riakporhe next?”