Inside the ring, Opetaia controlled the fight with disciplined southpaw boxing, mixing distance management with sharp uppercuts and body shots. Glanton showed toughness and applied pressure, but he struggled to land consistently against Opetaia's movement and timing. Over twelve rounds, Opetaia's higher punch volume and superior ring control made the difference.
While the fight itself was competitive in moments, most observers agreed Opetaia dictated the pace and never appeared seriously threatened.
The controversy surrounding the bout focused on the championship label. Zuffa promoted the fight as a world title contest, yet traditional sanctioning bodies such as the IBF, WBC, WBA, and WBO did not recognize the belt. Opetaia previously held the IBF cruiserweight title but was stripped of it around the time of the fight, adding further confusion to his official status.
Some commentators even referred to Opetaia as "undisputed," though that title requires holding all four major belts. Opetaia himself dismissed that label, stating he wants to become undisputed by defeating the other champions in the division.
Despite the political questions surrounding the belt, Opetaia's performance remains the clearest takeaway. With his combination of athleticism, ring intelligence, and power, he continues to look like the man to beat at cruiserweight.
