(February 19th) No. 1 Cruiserweight contender headlines March 7th show in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Power-punching Canadian cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs), currently ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and No. 5 by Ring Magazine, is challenging reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Champion Jai Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs).

As Ryan pursues his goal of becoming the first Canadian-born Cruiserweight Champion of the World, he must fight for the first time since December 7, 2024, having been sidelined largely due to a torn right bicep that he reinjured, along with several world title fights falling through.

Rozicki’s long-awaited ring return will headline the March 7th show against Gerardo Mellado (12-4, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event on a card presented by Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, at Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

“Jai and his team know who I am,” Rozicki reported. “I have been knocking on that door for years. They obviously don’t want the fight; it is what it is. Right now, I’m focused on my March 7th bout. Then, I’m coming to take what’s mine! I’m going to be the cruiserweight champion of the world.”

“We tried numerous times to get that fight with Jai,” Three Lions Promotions Managing Director Daniel Otter explained. “I’m sure Dana White (Zuffa Boxing) will like that fight (Opetaia vs. Rozicki). He makes his guys take on the best. Ryan has a fight next month, the day before Jai. Let’s see what happens after those fights. I am confident that Ryan has what it takes to stop Jai. To be frank, I think that because of the styles of both fighters, Ryan gets him out of there early. No disrespect to Jai and his team, but Ryan is cut from a different cloth. Everyone will find out soon enough.”

Fighting out of Australia, Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) recently signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, and he faces Brandon Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) on March 8th at Metro Apex in Las Vegas.

Sydney-native Rozicki, 30, is unbeaten in 7 fights in Sydney with 1 draw and 6 knockouts. Sporting a sensational 95% knockout ratio, Ryan was scheduled to fight Akani “Prime” Phuzi for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight title on October 25 in Sydney. However, the bout was cancelled after Rozicki reinjured his right bicep.

The 8-round co-featured event on Mar. 7 is set between Canadian light heavyweights Brandon Brewer (28-4-3, 12 KOs), former North American Boxing Association (NABA) Canadian Super Middleweight Champion, and Daniel Beaupre (6-2, 3 KOs).

Announced undercard fights for March 7 include an 8-round co-featured event an All-Nova Scotia showdown between a pair of popular local boxers, Brett Beaton (6-4, 4 KOs) and David Logue (4-1, 4 KOs), in a 10-round match for the vacant National Championships of Canada (NCC) Super Middleweight Championship.

Undefeated super welterweight prospect Dylan Taylor (4-0, 3KO), fighting out of Sarnia, Canada, faces Alex Nemeth (1-1-0), of Hungary, in a 6-round match.

Card subject to change.

Tickets are on sale and available for purchase online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca) and the Centre 200 website (www.centre200.ca) or just

(click here).

Three Lions Promotions (3LP) is a professional boxing promotional company in Canada. 3LP is the only Canadian boxing promotional company who operates on a national level, with shows spanning from coast to coast. These prestigious and elegant boxing events serve as a fundraiser for charities such as: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Local Food Shares, The Special Olympics of Canada and the Have a heart Foundation.

In addition to the professional boxing matches on the cards, guests are treated with an experience like no other. From Brazilian samba dancers dazzling the crowd, magicians and contortionist throughout the walkways and fire breathing acrobatics taking over the squared circle from time to time, you won’t leave unimpressed. The guest lists for past events include high ranking Politicians, CEOs and senior executives from the ranks of their city’s leading companies including law, audit, tax and advisory, investment, private equity, and real estate.