Round-by-Round: Jai Opetaia vs. Jordan Thompson | DAZN - 30 September 2023

[jameswilson]

They’ve shortened Thompson’s career there.

[The Gratest]

That was painful. The shots were rocking him through the gloves and his attempt at a Philly shell defence wasn't working at all. He gave it a go but it was obvious by the end of the 1st that it was just a matter of time.

[jameswilson]

Have to say Eddie’s signed an exciting one here. Anyone saying they won’t be tuning into his next fight is lying.

[margaret thatcher]

jai is really really good. i said it before the briedis fight. super fast and very good timing. showed plenty of toughness and chin vs briedis too.

[jwfg]

Have to say Eddie’s signed an exciting one here. Anyone saying they won’t be tuning into his next fight is lying.

He would slaughter Richard Riakporhe and they best keep CBS as far away from him as possible.

[jwfg]

jai is really really good. i said it before the briedis fight. super fast and very good timing. showed plenty of toughness and chin vs briedis too.

Surely posters won't ignore the Breidis win any more.

[JxhDel.]

Opetaia is a living cheat code and the win over Breidis wasn't a fluke.

[jameswilson]

jai is really really good. i said it before the briedis fight. super fast and very good timing. showed plenty of toughness and chin vs briedis too.

The southpaw stance can often be something that neutralises an opponents strength but when you add Jai’s speed of foot and ability to shoot in and out with the southpaw stance. Jeez I think he will be tough to beat.

[jwfg]

Opetaia is a living cheat code

[Les Norton]

Appalling matchmaking to allow Thompson to take this fight.
He was a developing prospect that was just fed to the wolves tonight.
He looked like an outmatched sparring partner tonight, I just hope comes again and isn’t too damaged emotionally from it.
Opetaia was 15 months out with a broken jaw and poor young Thompson was just that easy tune up opponent.
Jordan could do something about his corner too.
Clueless face slapping.

[Redback Rasta]

Demolition job by Opetaia. Thompson had no idea how to deal with Opetaia's angles nor his power.

Credit to Thompson for taking the fight because nobody else wanted it and we saw why.

[Kilburn]

There will be more opponents in the future who can soak up those shots, but that speed and engine is going to be tough to overcome.

I talked myself into believing Thompson could make a fight of it, but he had absolutely nothing to win the fight with. Couldn’t get out of the way of anything.

[jwfg]

Demolition job by Opetaia. Thompson had no idea how to deal with Opetaia's angles nor his power.

Credit to Thompson for taking the fight because nobody else wanted it and we saw why.

[jwfg]

There will be more opponents in the future who can soak up those shots, but that speed and engine is going to be tough to overcome.

I talked myself into believing Thompson could make a fight of it, but he had absolutely nothing to win the fight with. Couldn’t get out of the way of anything.

I actually agree with Bellew for once. Jumped too many levels. Same as Price vs Thompson.

[Delta Jay]

Maybe I’m over-generalising but the main thing you always see about polys is that they have absurdly fast feet for the size.

Been a big Jai fan for long. I really loved the all our offence with the shifting stances coming forwards. I was wondering what the fornicate they was doing putting him on in this country but he’s clearly won loads of fans and maybe can be a good ticket these side now?


As an aside, Tommy MacCarthy’s account of sparring him in aus and doing stand up on his day off is hilarious.

[jwfg]

Maybe I’m over-generalising but the main thing you always see about polys is that they have absurdly fast feet for the size.

Don't fvck with islanders.

[coneye]

Rugby is the go for most islanders , but believe me pacific islanders are a natural there genetics tend to make them heavy , but usually a natjral fighting ability is in the makeup, trained quite a few in the ameteurs , just about ALL have been naturaly talented , but non have had dedication , prefering rugby , boxing just being an excuse to have a fight without getti g in trouble , i actually mix with and call a lot of islanders good freinds , and for md there tne nicest people on earth

[jwfg]

Rugby is the go for most islanders , but believe me pacific islanders are a natural there genetics tend to make them heavy , but usually a natjral fighting ability is in the makeup, trained quite a few in the ameteurs , just about ALL have been naturaly talented , but non have had dedication , prefering rugby , boxing just being an excuse to have a fight without getti g in trouble , i actually mix with and call a lot of islanders good freinds , and for md there tne nicest people on earth

I put ten stitches in a Samoan's eye brow after he'd been in a fight. He threatened to punch me if I gave him any anesthetic and gave me a bearhug afterwards.

[stevec@france]

CBS should stick to beating okolie again and steer clear
Riakhpore would be a good fight .
Badou jack would be old overnight .

Opetai is the real deal CW king .

[garethhop]

Reallt good card again tonight.

Game changed.

[Coco]

Reminded me of Barrera v Paul Lloyd and Ritchie Wenton

[TheLeprechaun]

That was painful. The shots were rocking him through the gloves and his attempt at a Philly shell defence wasn't working at all. He gave it a go but it was obvious by the end of the 1st that it was just a matter of time.

I predicted a slaughter by Opetaia earlier in the thread and mentioned the shoulder roll attempts by Thompson in previous fights. The chap got tagged left right and centre when using that defence and it was clearly porous but what do you hear Sims saying in the corner after the third round - "Roll with the shots and come back with the right hand". I mean, for the love of Christ. The chap cannot do the shoulder roll effectively. Ducar had him out on his feet while he was doing it and it looked terrible vs Watkins. Why is he rolling up against a solid operator in Opetaia and hanging his chin out like laundry during the fight?

Not to mention the shoulder roll isn't even effective against southpaws. I know Opetaia was several leagues above so nothing would have mattered anyway. The lad is sharp and brings a variety of punches to the table along with the ability to throw them all from the orthodox stance also by the looks of it. You can tell hes a shrewd operator from some of the punches he used, shifting into the orthodox stance and Thompson hadn't got a clue where the punches where coming from. I thought Thompson was game and he did let his hands go in the 2nd and landed a right hand. He had a punchers chance in the fight and landed a shot but Opetaia walked through the punch as if nothing happened and at that point the corner should have had alarm bells ringing. The third round was painful to watch and Thompson will need some rehabilitation mentally as well as physically as he was really given a pasting in there. Fair play to the lad though, no lack of heart and he should be commended for that but my word he was outclassed. I thought I noticed a point in the third round where Thompson was hurt and he just started to shut down and that's what happened against these types of operators. Once you realise you haven't got a clue what is going to come, all you can really focus on is defending yourself but fear and panic sets in because you feel vulnerable and unable to protect yourself. I felt sorry for the lad but thats boxing, as they say it's about levels.

[Redback Rasta]

Thompson had only fought chump level, journeyman southpaws previously and it showed. Looked about as comfortable against a southpaw as Joyce did against Zhang.

[coneye]

Think it was a good night for Eddie he got excatly what he wanted found out if it was worth still getting behind one and building up the other

[veriton]

Thompson knew what he was getting into, and Riakphore knew what he was getting out of. CBS probably had to quickly go to Spain.