IBF Tries To End Jai Opetaia Lawsuit Early

The sanctioning body filed a motion to dismiss on August 25 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Boxing reporter Darshan Desai reported that the IBF raised two procedural objections.

It argues that its rules required Opetaia to bring the case in New Jersey, where the IBF is based. The organization also claims he went to court without completing its mandatory internal appeal process. Opetaia has until September 8 to respond.

Those objections give the IBF a chance to attack the lawsuit without immediately defending the decision to remove Opetaia as cruiserweight champion. A ruling based on venue or internal appeal grounds would not establish that his accusations lack merit.