Jai Opetaia has reportedly left Tyson Fury’s training camp in Saudi Arabia after sparring just five rounds with the Gypsy King.
Reports are stating Opetaia – who will face Mairis Briedis for a second time on the Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard on February 17 – has returned home to Australia.
According to iFL TV, Opetaia made the decision to leave Saudi Arabia on Sunday after stating there was a lack of orthodox sparring available in Fury’s camp.
Fury has prioritised southpaw sparring ahead of his clash with Usyk and has been facing Moses Itauma (7-0) Kevin Lerena (30-2) and Alexis Barriere (11-0).
Fury was hoping to add Opetaia to his list of sparring partners but only managed five rounds with the Australian before he decided to leave Saudi.
Jai Opetaia (above) has reportedly left Tyson Fury ‘s training camp in Saudi Arabia after sparring just five rounds with the Gypsy King
Opetaia – who will face Mairis Briedis for a second time on the Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard on February 17 – has returned home to Australia
Opetaia made the decision to leave Saudi Arabia on Sunday after stating there was a lack of orthodox sparring available in Fury’s camp
During his short stay in Saudi, Opetaia was pictured taking an ice bath and relaxing by the hotel pool with the Fury camp.
Personal trainer Mark Mathie took to Instagram to share the images of Opetaia and wrote the following caption.
‘Cruiserweight KING of Saudi Arabia. We have had a great first two days camp over here. Amazing resort, amazing hostel as always.
‘Two sessions yesterday and two big sessions today (doing our specific’s) followed by a ice bath and swim with the Fury camp.’
Opetaia’s bout with Briedis comes less than two months after his December 23 first-round knockout of Ellis Zorro on the ‘Day Of Reckoning’ undercard.
Opetaia beat Briedis during their first bout, outpointing the three-time cruiserweight champion over twelve rounds in July 2022.
Opetaia must defeat Briedis once again if he wants to become a world champion for a second time after being stripped of his IBF crown when he fought Zorro.
The Gypsy King has prioritised southpaw sparring ahead of his undisputed title fight with Usyk
Fury has been sparring Moses Itauma (7-0) Kevin Lerena (30-2) and Alexis Barriere (11-0)
Fury and Usyk will go toe-to-toe in Saudi Arabia on February 17 for the undisputed title
Therefore, Opetaia – who was sidelined for the majority of 2023 while recovering from shoulder surgery – is eager to prepare well for the rematch.
As a result, he left Fury’s camp as the Gypsy King was prioritising southpaw sparring ahead of his undisputed title fight with Usyk on February 17 in Riyadh.
Fury has been sparring Moses Itauma (7-0) Kevin Lerena (30-2) and Alexis Barriere (11-0) in the build-up to the Usyk fight.
Meanwhile, Usyk has been facing Sanel Hasanovic (7-1-1) Vladimir Katsuk (5-1) Mariusz Wach (38-10) Emanuel Odiase and (1-0) Darren Sealy (0-1).