Jai Opetaia has issued a defiant warning to title rival Gilberto Ramirez as he prepares to defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world titles against mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on March 16, 2024. The fight will take place on the Gold Coast, which is being hailed as the venue for one of the most significant boxing cards in Australia’s history.
Opetaia, who boasts an impressive record of 28-0, has struggled to unify his titles, but he remains the sole male boxing world champion in Australia. He is set to face Cinkara, a 40-year-old fighter from Turkey with a record of 23-0, including 19 stoppages. Despite Cinkara’s undefeated streak, Opetaia is favored to emerge victorious.
Opetaia’s Rivalry with Ramirez
The tension between Opetaia and Ramirez has escalated in recent weeks. Ramirez, a two-division champion with a record of 48-1, dismissed Opetaia’s accomplishments, stating he “didn’t even know who Opetaia was.” His comments suggested that Opetaia had faced lesser opponents to achieve his status, which the Australian boxer met with a confident retort: “If I’m that easy of a fight, come and find out.”
These remarks come despite Ramirez initially expressing interest in a matchup with Opetaia earlier this year. Following shoulder surgery, however, Ramirez has shifted his focus to defending his titles against David Benavidez in May.
Opetaia’s determination is evident in his past performances, particularly his two hard-fought victories over former champion Mairis Briedis, where he overcame significant injuries to claim the Latvian’s belts. Briedis’s only other defeat came at the hands of undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in what is considered a classic cruiserweight bout.
Excitement Surrounds Upcoming Fight Card
This weekend’s fight card has attracted significant attention, with promoter Mick Francis declaring it the “deepest” in Australian boxing history. The lineup features several notable bouts, including rising star Max McIntyre facing Jed Morris for the WBC Australasian super middleweight title and veteran Paul Fleming coming out of retirement to fight Jake Wyllie for the IBF super lightweight crown.
Former bantamweight world champion Jason Moloney will also make his return to the ring against Filipino fighter Herlan Gomez, competing for Australasia’s WBC strap. Heavyweights Teremoana Jnr and Ben Mahoney will add to the excitement, ensuring an action-packed evening.
Opetaia is focused on his upcoming title defense against Cinkara, stating, “He’s going to be in a lot of shock, to be honest. His hopes are high… but I’m curious to see how good he thinks he is.”
As Opetaia prepares to step into the ring, the anticipation builds not only for his fight but also for the entire card, which promises to be a landmark event in Australian boxing.
