The IBF World Cruiserweight and Ring Magazine champion Jai Opetaia, 28-0 with 22 stoppages, is looking to unify the division. He is from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, managed and promoted by Tasman’s Fighters CEO Mick Francis.
Opetaia last defended his title in June, stopping Italy’s IBF European champion Claudio ‘The Red Bull’ Squeo, 17-0 in 5 rounds, in his fifth defense. Opetaia was a three-time Australian Amateur champion.
Other champions at cruiserweight are former WBO World Super Middleweight champion and current WBA and WBO World Cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, 48-1 with 30 stoppages, of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. He last fought in his first defense, defeating former IBF World Cruiserweight champion, Cuban Yuniel ‘The KO Doctor’ Dorticos, 27-2, living in Miami, Florida, over 12 rounds at the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California.
“I respect what Ramirez has accomplished, but I know I’m on another level. I’ve beaten world-class fighters, I’ve defended my titles, and I’m ready to collect more belts. If Ramirez has the courage to step up, I’ll show the world why I’m the real champion,” said Opetaia.”
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom said, “A massive unification fight with Zurdo Ramirez has to be next for Opetaia, with high praise and a huge prediction for his future before moving up to heavyweight.” Mick Francis added, “The time for talk is over. Jai is the true lineal champion and the most dangerous cruiserweight in the world. We have nothing but respect for Ramirez and what he has achieved, but this is the fight boxing needs. I have complete faith that Ramirez will do the right thing and accept his challenge. The fans deserve to see the best against the best.”
The other champion is former WBC World Super Middleweight, WBA World Light Heavyweight, and current WBC World Cruiserweight champion Badou ‘The Ripper’ Jack, 29-3-3 with 17 stoppages, from Stockholm, Sweden, living in Dubai, UAE.
In Jack’s last fight in his first defense in June, he won a majority decision over former WBC Silver Cruiserweight champion Norair Mikieljan, 27-2, out of Yerevan, Armenia, living in Miami, Florida, at the ANB Arena, in Riyadh.