Boxer Jai Opetaia starts legal action in the United States to try to force the IBF to hand back the cruiserweight world title.

Undefeated Jai Opetaia is a two-time IBF cruiserweight world champion with a record of 30 wins, with 23 stoppages Boxer Jai Opetaia has started legal action in the United States to force the IBF to hand back the cruiserweight world title. The Australian claims the sanctioning body acted unlawfully when it stripped him of his belt following his first fight with promotional outfit Zuffa Boxing. Opetaia filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Nevada seeking to have his title reinstated, recover damages and legal costs, and prevent the IBF from naming another cruiserweight champion while the litigation continues. The IBF declined to comment, with a spokesperson telling BBC Sport: "We will release a statement when it is appropriate." The 19-page complaint - obtained by BBC Sport - claims rival governing bodies have discouraged champions from facing him, citing David Benavidez's decision not to pursue a fight after Opetaia was stripped and alleging the WBC threatened to strip Noel Mikaelian if he agreed to face the Australian instead. "The conspirators and, most recently, the WBC have taken steps to freeze out Jai from other future bouts," the lawsuit says. The complaint also names representatives from sanction bodies the WBC, WBA and WBO - BBC Sport has contacted them for comment.