Matchroom revealed today that a deal has been reached and purse bids canceled for a fight between IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and #1 Huseyin Cinkara. The date and location of the fight will be revealed shortly.
Opetaia’s Unpopular Opponent
Fans aren’t pleased with the news, viewing it as another lackluster opponent for the unbeaten Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs). They want to see Jai step it up in a unification match against WBA and WBO champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez or a defense against Chris Billian Smith. The 40-year-old Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs) isn’t what they’re looking for.
Fans would be more tolerant of Opetaia defending against Cinkara if he were coming off a battle against one of the talented fighters in the division. That hasn’t happened. So, people are criticising this fight against Cinkara, seeing it as another gimme for Opetaia to pad his record with.
Opetaia’s Recent Wins
Claudio Squeo
David Nyika
Jack Massey
The Germany-born Cinkara has an impressive record at first glance, but his opponents have been largely obscure throughout his nine-year professional career. He has attained a #1 ranking and a mandatory position with the IBF, but mainly because the cruiserweight division lacks talent.
Deal reached, purse bids cancelled…
Full fight news dropping soon ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/x15O7M5diB
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 2, 2025
The fighters tend to bypass the division and go straight to heavyweight for the bigger paydays if they’ve got the size. Opetaia, 30, has chosen to stay at cruiserweight rather than follow former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to move up to heavyweight.
Fans Accuse Opetaia of Fear
The bigger paydays and challenges await at heavyweight for Opetaia, but for some reason, he’s chosen to stay at cruiserweight, defending against little-known opposition. He’s a big fish in a small pond in this division.
The criticism Jai has received is based on his lack of ambition. They see him as a 30-year-old who is hesitant to let go of the cruiserweight division to move up to heavyweight because he’s afraid to take risks.