Australian boxer Jai Opetaia has sued the International Boxing Federation in the United States, seeking to have his cruiserweight world title restored after it was stripped following his first bout with Zuffa Boxing. The case matters because it challenges a governing body’s authority to withdraw a sanction shortly before a fight and alleges broader efforts within boxing to discourage fighters from working with the new promotion.

Opetaia, 31, says the IBF initially approved his March fight with Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas, accepted a $73,000 (£54,000) fee and assigned an official, before withdrawing approval less than 48 hours before the contest. He went ahead, beat Glanton by unanimous decision and was later stripped; his lawsuit seeks reinstatement, damages, costs and a block on the IBF naming another champion during the case. The IBF declined to comment, while the complaint also alleges coordinated pressure from the WBC, WBA and WBO, all of which have been approached for comment.