Mairis Briedis

Last updated
Mairis Briedis
Mairis Briedis 2018.jpg
Briedis in 2018
Born (1985-01-13) 13 January 1985 (age 40)
Skrīveri, Latvia
NationalityLatvian
Other namesThe Latvian Punisher
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) [1]
Reach190 cm (75 in) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins28
Wins by KO20
Losses3
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
Latvian National Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2008 RigaHeavyweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2009 JelgavaHeavyweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2011 JelgavaHeavyweight
Men's Full-Contact Kickboxing
Representing Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
WAKO European Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2008 Varna -86kg
WAKO World Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2005 Szeged -86kg
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2007 Coimbra -86kg

Mairis Briedis (born 13 January 1985) is a Latvian former professional boxer who competed from 2009 to 2024. He was a three-time cruiserweight world champion, having held the IBF and Ring titles from 2020 to 2022; the WBC title from 2017 to 2018; and the WBO title in 2019. Upon winning the WBC title in 2017, he became the first Latvian to hold a world boxing title. [2] He was awarded the Order of the Three Stars in 2017. [3]

Contents

Professional career

Early career

At the age of 24, after previously serving as a Latvian State Police officer in Rīga, Briedis turned professional in 2009. He racked up multiple wins in his home country and abroad, including a second-round technical knockout (TKO) of former heavyweight title challenger Danny Williams. [4] He captured the IBA cruiserweight title along the way. Briedis' first fight of note came in 2015, when he moved up in weight and traveled to Russia to face former heavyweight title challenger Manuel Charr. Briedis knocked out his much bigger opponent with a single punch in the fifth round. [5] [6] [7] In 2016, Briedis knocked out hard-hitting Nigerian Olanrewaju Durodola in a slug fest, to capture the WBC Silver cruiserweight title. [8] [9] This made him the mandatory challenger for the winner of Tony Bellew and Ilunga Makabu. [10] Briedis was ringside for the fight and congratulated the victorious Bellew in his dressing room afterwards. Briedis then fought in the UK for the first time in a stay busy fight against Simon Vallily on the undercard of Bellew's first title defence against BJ Flores. [11] [12] [13] Bellew vacated his title in early 2017, meaning the vacant title would be on the line in Briedis' next fight. [14] [15] [16]

WBC cruiserweight champion

Briedis vs. Huck

Due to Tony Bellew fighting David Haye instead of taking on Briedis, the WBC ordered a match for the WBC interim cruiserweight title between Marco Huck and Briedis. The winner would earn a fight with Bellew for the full WBC title or possibly be elevated to full championship status if Bellew decided to vacate and stay at heavyweight. [17] As Bellew didn't plan to defend his title for a while, he vacated the title in March 2017. [18] On 1 April 2017 Briedis captured the vacant WBC cruiserweight title by defeating Huck via unanimous decision (UD) (118–109, 117–110, 116–111). Huck was deducted a point after an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was able to outbox the former two-time champion and prevent him from having any success on the inside during the fight. Some boxing pundits had Briedis winning every round in the fight. [19] [20] [21] The IBO title, previously held by Huck, became vacant due to Briedis not paying the sanctioning fees. [22]

2017–18: World Boxing Super Series

On 2 June 2017 Briedis announced that he would take part in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), where the winner would receive a grand prize as well as the Muhammad Ali Trophy. Briedis described the bracket style tournament as the 'Champions League of boxing'. [23]

Briedis vs. Perez

At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Briedis chose former heavyweight contender Mike Perez (22–2–1, 14 KOs) as his quarter-final opponent. Perez had been out of action for 25 months before moving down to the 200 pound limit division and won his first fight at that weight with a first-round knockout on 10 June 2017. [24] On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Rīga Arēna in Riga on 30 September 2017. This was the eighth time Briedis fought at the arena. [25] [26] Briedis defeated Perez by UD over twelve rounds (116–110, 115–111, 114–112). Perez was deducted a point in round three following an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was also docked a point during round ten for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moved on to the semi-finals to face top-seeded Oleksandr Usyk. [27]

Briedis vs. Usyk

Briedis had the next fight against Usyk (13–0, 11 KOs), following the latter's win over Marco Huck. [28] [29] In November 2017, it was reported the fight would take place on 27 January 2018 in Riga, Latvia, a week before Gassiev vs. Dorticos would take place. [30] Arēna Rīga was confirmed as the location by Comosa's Chief Boxing Officer Kalle Sauerland. [31] Usyk came in at 199.5 pounds and Briedis weighed 199.1 pounds. [32] Usyk moved on to the final of the tournament after defeating Briedis via majority decision (MD). With a high work rate, Usyk controlled most of the fight with his jab, putting on pressure when needed. Briedis was credited with landing the harder punches. The opening four rounds where closely contested and Usyk was cut from a head-butt over his right eye in round three. From round five, Usyk became busier and took control of the fight, although he was still hit with some hard shots to the head from Briedis. One judge scored the fight 114–114, whilst the remaining two judges scored the fight 115–113 in favour of Usyk. After the fight, Usyk stated it was the hardest fight of his career. [33] [34] According to CompuBox stats, Usyk landed 212 of 848 punches thrown (25%) and Briedis was more accurate, landing 195 of his 579 thrown (33.7%). Usyk landed 40% of his power punches. [35] Many boxers and pundits praised the fight. [36]

Reserve fight

On 28 June 2018, Briedis began training for his next bout, which was speculated to take place on the undercard of the WBSS final on 21 July at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow. [37] His opponent was later announced to be French boxer Brandon Deslaurier (11–1–1, 1 KO). Briedis was also confirmed as the WBSS final substitute in case either Usyk or Murat Gassiev could not compete. The bout with Deslaurier was scheduled for ten rounds. [38] Briedis went the ten-round distance, defeating Deslaurier via UD. All three judges scored the fight 100–90. [39]

2018–19: World Boxing Super Series

In August 2018, Briedis, along with Yuniel Dorticos, entered a second edition of the WBSS. Unlike the inaugural tournament, there were no world champions, as Usyk had unified all the titles. Mateusz Masternak, Krzysztof Głowacki and Maxim Vlasov were other top contenders to join. [40]

Briedis vs. Mikaelian

As the #1 seed, Briedis chose to fight German boxer Noel Mikaelian (23–1, 10 KOs). [41] Gevor was ranked at #14 by the WBC. [42] On 26 September, it was announced that the Briedis vs. Gevor bout, along with the Głowacki vs. Vlasov would take place as a doubleheader on 10 November at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, US. [43]

Briedis vs. Głowacki

On 15 June 2019 Briedis won the WBO cruiserweight title in a controversial fight against Głowacki (31–1, 19 KOs). Briedis won by TKO in the third round but appeared to intentionally foul his opponent with an elbow strike after being hit on the back of the neck in the second. The WBO's report on the fight also stated that the referee Robert Byrd made "multiple errors" in officiating the fight and ordered a rematch. [44] Briedis was later stripped of the title after refusing to defend it in a direct rematch fight with Głowacki rather than proceeding with the WBSS tournament Final. [45]

Briedis vs. Dorticos

Briedis was scheduled to face Yuniel Dorticos on 26 September 2020 at the Plazamedia Broadcasting Center in Munich, Germany, for the WBSS tournament final. Mairis Briedis beat Yuniel Dorticos by majority decision in their 12-round contest on Saturday 26 September 2020 at Plazamedia Broadcasting Center in Munich. The scorecards were announced as 111–117, 114–114, 111–117 in favor of winner Mairis Briedis. The fight took place over rounds in the Cruiserweight division, which meant the weight limit was 200 pounds (14.3 stone or 90.7 KG). This was the final of the World Boxing Super Series. This was a unique fight as there were almost no spectators because of the corona virus precaution in the EU. [46]

IBF & Ring cruiserweight champion

Briedis vs. Mann

Briedis was booked to defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles against the former WBO International titlist and one-time IBO Cruiserweight title challenger Artur Mann. The bout was scheduled for 16 October 2021, at the Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia. [47] Briedis made quick work of his opponent, beating him by technical knockout near the end of the third round. The stoppage was preceded by two knockdowns, one coming with 10 seconds left in the second round, while the second came 39 seconds before the knockout itself. [48] Briedis called out the reigning WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie in his post-fight interview, stating: "Eddie Hearn, give Okolie the money, and we’ll make the fight. If this happens, it will be a mega fight in the UK". [49]

Consecutive losses

Briedis vs. Opetaia

Briedis was scheduled to make his second IBF and The Ring title defense against the undefeated mandatory title challenger Jai Opetaia on 6 April 2022, at the TBD venue in Australia. [50] The bout was postponed on February 16, as Briedis tested positive for COVID-19. [51] The bout was rescheduled for 11 May, and was expected to take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia. [52] The bout was once again postponed on April 8, as Opetaia suffered a rib injury, [53] and rescheduled for July 2. [54]

GO3 platform and TV3 Group refused to broadcast the fight because of Briedis' ambiguous views about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [55] Briedis lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112, 116–112 and 115–113. He had a late surge in the fight, during which he managed to break Opetaia's jaw, but was unable to win enough rounds on the judges' scorecards. [56]

Briedis vs. Opetaia II

On May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Briedis lost the rematch for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title against Jai Opetaia by unanimous decision. [57] [58]

Retirement

Briedis announced his retirement from professional boxing on 19 August 2024. [59] [60]

Professional boxing record

31 fights28 wins3 losses
By knockout200
By decision83
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Loss28–3 Jai Opetaia UD12 18 May 2024 Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaFor The Ring and vacant IBF cruiserweight titles
30Loss28–2 Jai Opetaia UD122 Jul 2022 Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland, AustraliaLost IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
29Win28–1Artur MannTKO3 (12), 2:5916 Oct 2021Arēna Rīga, Riga, LatviaRetained IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
28Win27–1 Yuniel Dorticos MD1226 Sep 2020Plazamedia Broadcasting Center, Munich, GermanyWon IBF and vacant The Ring cruiserweight titles;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight final
27Win26–1 Krzysztof Głowacki TKO3 (12), 0:2715 Jun 2019Arēna Rīga, Riga, LatviaWon WBO cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight semi-final
26Win25–1 Noel Mikaelian UD1210 Nov 2018 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight quarter-final
25Win24–1Brandon DeslaurierUD10 21 Jul 2018 Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
24Loss23–1 Oleksandr Usyk MD12 27 Jan 2018 Arēna Rīga, Rīga, LatviaLost WBC cruiserweight title;
For WBO cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight semi-final
23Win23–0 Mike Perez UD12 30 Sep 2017 Arēna Rīga, Rīga, LatviaRetained WBC cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight quarter-finals
22Win22–0 Marco Huck UD121 Apr 2017 Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, GermanyWon vacant WBC cruiserweight title
21Win21–0 Simon Vallily TKO3 (8), 2:3615 Oct 2016 Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
20Win20–0 Olanrewaju Durodola TKO9 (12), 2:5814 May 2016Arēna Rīga, Rīga, LatviaWon WBC Silver cruiserweight title
19Win19–0 Danie Venter TKO2 (12), 2:0521 Feb 2016Arēna Rīga, Rīga, LatviaWon vacant IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
18Win18–0László HubertTKO2 (6), 2:426 Nov 2015Palais, Frankfurt, Germany
17Win17–0 Manuel Charr KO5 (10), 2:5522 Aug 2015 Akhmat-Arena, Grozny, Russia
16Win16–0Emre AltintasTKO2 (6), 1:3528 Jun 2015Fruchthalle, Kaiserslautern, Germany
15Win15–0Björn BlaschkeTKO4 (6), 1:4510 Apr 2015Kongress Und Sportzentrum, Hessen, Germany
14Win14–0Ismail AbdoulUD1214 Nov 2014Olympic Hall, Liepāja, LatviaRetained IBA cruiserweight title
13Win13–0Csaba FaurKO1 (6), 1:4526 Sep 2014Palais, Frankfurt, Germany
12Win12–0 Joey Vegas TKO9 (10), 1:0926 Jul 2014Ķīpsala Exhibition Centre, Rīga, LatviaWon vacant WBC Baltic cruiserweight title
11Win11–0Luboš ŠudaRTD5 (12), 3:0022 Nov 2013Olympic Hall, Liepāja, LatviaWon vacant IBA cruiserweight title
10Win10–0Jérémy OuannaUD85 Jul 2013Olympic Hall, Porto Carras, Greece
9Win9–0Jonathan FeltonTKO2 (6), 2:4114 Jun 2013The Ritz, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
8Win8–0 Danny Williams TKO2 (6), 1:0923 Mar 2013Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
7Win7–0Marko AngermannTKO2 (6), 2:3820 Oct 2012Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
6Win6–0József NagyTKO2 (6), 1:0716 Jun 2012Sports Complex Majori, Jūrmala, Latvia
5Win5–0Ruslan SiniavskijTKO1 (6), 2:5024 Mar 2012Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
4Win4–0Andrejs NaglisKO2 (6), 0:258 Oct 2011Arēna Rīga, Rīga, Latvia
3Win3–0Josip JalušićTKO1 (6)2 Jun 2011 Arena Riga, Rīga, Latvia
2Win2–0Gábor ZsalekTKO1 (6), 3:0012 Jun 2010Hala Sportowa, Krynica Zdrój, Poland
1Win1–0Raulis RacilauskasUD411 Oct 2009Rīga Hanza Secondary School, Rīga, Latvia

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Silver world titles [a]

Minor world titles

Regional/International titles

Honorary titles

Politics

On 18 July 2022, Briedis announced on his Instagram page that he would run in the 2022 Latvian parliamentary election as a candidate of Social Democratic Party "Harmony", which he believed "dedicates its efforts to reduce the split in society". Briedis' decision received a mixed reaction in the Latvian society. [61] Briedis was elected to the Riga City Council in the 2025 Latvian municipal elections on the populist For Stability! party list, but reportedly did not join the party and sits as an independent among the For Stability! faction. [62] He later left the For Stability! political faction. [63]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ In 2010, the WBC created the "Silver Championship", intended as a replacement for interim titles.

References

  1. 1 2 "BoxRec: Mairis Briedis". boxrec.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  2. ↑ Boxrec. "Mairis Briedis". Boxrec Fighter Page.
  3. ↑ "Latvian luminaries receive civil honors". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. LETA. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Mairis Briedis - Danny Williams - Новости бокса от Александра Колесникова". Новости бокса от Александра Колесникова (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  5. ↑ Kas Tad Tas (2015-08-22), MAIRIS BRIEDIS VS MANUEL CHARR | FULL FIGHT | HD | 21 08 2015 , retrieved 2017-07-10
  6. ↑ "Mairis Briedis With Brutal One Punch KO of Manuel Charr - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  7. ↑ "Manuel Charr sparked by undefeated Mairis Briedis". Ring News 24. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  8. ↑ "Briedis, Durodola set for 5/14 WBC eliminator". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  9. ↑ "Briedis stops Durodola to earn WBC title shot". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  10. ↑ Константин Глазов (2016-07-31), Mairis Briedis vs Olanrewaju Durodola , retrieved 2017-07-10
  11. ↑ "Mairis Briedis vs. Simon Vallily is Set For Bellew-Flores Card - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  12. ↑ Kas Tad Tas (2016-10-15), Mairis Briedis vs Simon Vallily | FULL FIGHT 15.10.2016 , retrieved 2017-07-10
  13. ↑ "Bellew vs Flores: Mairis Briedis stops Simon Vallily to set up Tony Bellew clash". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  14. ↑ "Tony Bellew becomes emeritus champion as Marco Huck battles Mairis Briedis for WBC belt". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  15. ↑ "Tony Bellew: WBC makes British cruiserweight its Emeritus Champion". BBC Sport. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  16. ↑ "Briedis-Huck to fight for cruiserweight title". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  17. ↑ "WBC orders Marco Huck vs. Mairis Briedis". December 14, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Briedis-Huck Now For Full WBC Title, Bellew Made Emeritus Champ". 28 March 2017.
  19. ↑ "Mairis Briedis v Marco Huck: Tony Bellew's WBC cruiserweight title claimed by Latvian". BBC Sport. 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  20. ↑ "Mairis Briedis a comfortable winner in WBC cruiserweight clash with Marco Huck". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  21. ↑ "Mairis Briedis Decisions Marco Huck For WBC, IBO Titles - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. April 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  22. ↑ "Ex-Weltmeister steht mit leeren Händen da | Kein IBO-Titel für Huck – Verband: Gürtel ist vakant". sportbild.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  23. ↑ "Gassiev, Briedis, Wlodarczyk Ink With World Boxing Super Series - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  24. ↑ "Usyk-Huck, Groves-Cox headline Super Series". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  25. ↑ "Mairis Briedis-Mike Perez set for September 30 - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  26. ↑ "Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez on September 30 in Latvia - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  27. ↑ "Mairis Briedis Decisions Mike Perez, Set To Fight Usyk Next - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  28. ↑ "Usyk vs Briedis fight may happen on January 20". ringside24.com. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  29. ↑ "Briedis: I would like to fight Usyk in Riga". ringside24.com. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  30. ↑ "Gassiev-Dorticos & Usyk-Briedis WBSS semifinal dates » Boxing News". Boxing News 24. 2017-11-26. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  31. ↑ Briedis, Usyk v. "Usyk v Briedis unification / WBSS semi-final set for Riga on Jan 27". WBN - World Boxing News. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  32. ↑ "Photos: Usyk, Briedis Ready For WBSS Unification Showdown". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  33. ↑ "Usyk Decisions Briedis in Tough Fight To Unify WBC, WBO Titles". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  34. ↑ "World Boxing Super Series: Oleksandr Usyk beats Mairis Briedis on points in semi-final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  35. ↑ "Usyk vs. Briedis - CompuBox Punch Stats". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  36. ↑ "People Were Very Impressed With Usyk vs Briedis World Title Fight". Boxing News and Views. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  37. ↑ "Mairis Briedis Training For Return on Usyk-Gassiev Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  38. ↑ "Mairis Briedis vs. Brandon Deslaurier on Usyk-Gassiev Card". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  39. ↑ "Usyk-Gassiev Results: Briedis Wins, Ponomarev Shocked". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  40. ↑ "Mairis Briedis, Yunier Dorticos rejoin WBSS for Season 2". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  41. ↑ "Former world titleholders in WBSS Season 2". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  42. ↑ "Briedis vs Gevor - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  43. ↑ "Briedis vs. Mikaelian, Glowacki vs. Vlasov - Nov. 10 in Chicago". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  44. ↑ "WBO orders rematch between Briedis, Glowacki". ESPN.com. October 26, 2019.
  45. ↑ "WBO strips Mairis Briedis of cruiserweight world title". ESPN. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  46. ↑ Donovan, Jake (26 September 2020). "Mairis Briedis Decisions Dorticos To Win WBSS Tourney, IBF Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  47. ↑ BoxingScene Staff (16 September 2021). "Mairis Briedis-Artur Mann Cruiserweight Championship Set, October 16 In Riga". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  48. ↑ Morilla, Diego (16 October 2021). "Mairis Briedis stops Artur Mann in Latvia to defend his Ring magazine cruiserweight championship". ringtv.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  49. ↑ Manson, Paul (17 October 2021). "Mairis Briedis vs Artur Mann – Results & Post-Fight Report". proboxing-fans.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  50. ↑ Donovan, Jake (13 February 2022). "Mairis Briedis vs. Jai Opetaia IBF Title Fight Set For April 6 In Australia; Venue TBD". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  51. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (16 February 2022). "Mairis Briedis comes down with COVID, Jai Opetaia title defense delayed". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  52. ↑ "Mairis Briedis-Jai Opetaia Title Fight Rescheduled, May 11 In Australia's Gold Coast". boxingscene.com. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  53. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (8 April 2022). "Jai Opetaia injures ribs, Mairis Briedis fight delayed again". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  54. ↑ "Mairis Briedis Vs Jai Opetaia On July 2 In Australia". boxingnews24.com. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  55. ↑ "TV3 refuses to broadcast boxer Mairis Briedis' match for his views on war in Ukraine". Baltic News Network . 2 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  56. ↑ Donovan, Jake (2 July 2022). "Jai Opetaia Outboxes Mairis Briedis, Claims Cruiserweight Championship In Upset". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  57. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (18 May 2024). "Jai Opetaia regains title by decision in rematch against Mairis Briedis". FIGHTMAG.
  58. ↑ "Jai Opetaia survives bloody fight to win vacant IBF cruiserweight title, Fury and Usyk up next". ABC News. 18 May 2024.
  59. ↑ "Former cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis announces retiremen". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  60. ↑ "Former world champion retires from boxing after 15-year career". DAZN. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  61. ↑ "Famous Latvian boxer announces plans to enter political arena; the public is divided". Baltic News Network. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  62. ↑ "Briedis jau atteicies no nozīmīga amata Rīgas domē". www.delfi.lv (in Latvian). 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  63. ↑ "Boxer Briedis leaves For Stability! political faction". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Murat Gassiev 		IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion
21 February 2016 – May 2016
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Krzysztof Włodarczyk
Preceded by WBC Silver cruiserweight champion
14 May 2016 – October 2016
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Dmitry Kudryashov
New title WBC Diamond cruiserweight champion
10 November 2018 – 2018
Vacated		Vacant
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Bobby Gunn 		IBA cruiserweight champion
22 November 2013 – April 2015
Vacated		Vacant
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tony Bellew 		WBC cruiserweight champion
1 April 2017 – 27 January 2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBO cruiserweight champion
15 June 2019 – 25 November 2019
Stripped		Vacant
Title next held by
Lawrence Okolie
Preceded by IBF cruiserweight champion
26 September 2020 – 2 July 2022		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Oleksandr Usyk 		The Ring cruiserweight champion
26 September 2020 – 2 July 2022
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