Dana White has slammed the IBF over their treatment of Australia\u2019s Jai Opetaia in the lead-up to his U.S. debut.<\/p>\n
The Aussie knockout artist is due to face Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas on Sunday (Monday in Aus.), and was expecting to defend his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles, as well as compete for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing championship.<\/p>\n
Following this week\u2019s press conference, the IBF released a statement to announce they were withdrawing their sanction of the fight, citing Zuffa\u2019s failure to characterise their title as \u201ca trophy or token of recognition,\u201d rather than a genuine world championship.<\/p>\n
A report from journalist Dan Rafael, however, claimed IBF president Daryl Peoples felt disrespected by the way their belt was displayed at the press conference.<\/p>\n
The strap sat next to Opetaia on the stage and the Gold Coast-based southpaw held it while facing off with Glanton.<\/p>\n
As it stands, Opetaia is set to be stripped of the title if the fight goes ahead without the IBF\u2019s sanction.<\/p>\n
Speaking following UFC 326, White, who is looking to make a splash in boxing with Zuffa, said Opetaia had already paid his sanctioning fee for the bout.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ll talk about that tomorrow at the boxing press conference, but…,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis guy defended their title for four years, paid his sanctioning fee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe f***in’ guy who’s the supervisor or whatever he is flies here, lands and says, ‘Hey, where’s my per diem?’<\/p>\n
\u201cWe give him his per diem, he jumps back on the f***in’ plane and flies back and they put out a press release.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the IBF statement, Opetaia carried the belt with him to the weigh-in, and completed the organisation\u2019s mandatory fight day weight check.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old\u2019s team are continuing their efforts to ensure he has every chance to retain the belt and keep his dream of becoming undisputed champion at 200-pounds alive.<\/p>\n
White has previously spoken of his unwillingness to work with boxing\u2019s sanctioning bodies, suggesting there will be plenty more tension to come as Zuffa continues its expansion into the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese guys are going to do all the work for us,\u201d\u00a0White said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re gonna do all the work.\u201d<\/p>\n