Jai Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title against Claudio Squeo from Italy in May. But he actually wants someone else.
Jai Opetaia returns to the ring on May 13. He will meet Claudio Squeo in Broadbeach/Australia. It will be the third defense of his IBF belt in his second reign. The fight will once again take place at the Gold Coast Convention Center. In January, Opetaia defeated David Nyika there by knockout in the fourth round. Nyika stepped in at short notice for the injured mandatory opponent Huseiyn Cinkara.
The opponent comes without international experience
Claudio Squeo is 34 years old and unbeaten in 17 fights. So far, the Italian has only fought nationally. In his last fight, “The Red Bull” defeated a Journeyman with a negative record. He lacks international experience.
For Jai Opetaia, Squeo is not a desired opponent. “I’m frustrated, I finally want unification,” he said in the DAZN interview. “I’m chasing Zurdo Ramirez, but nothing is happening. It’s disappointing.”
Jai Opetaia: Target remains Zurdo Ramirez
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez holds the WBA and WBO titles. The Mexican clearly defeated Chris Billam-Smith to unify the belts. In June, Ramirez will defend his title against Yuniel Dorticos. After that, his team is planning a duel with Opetaia. The mega-fight could take place in Riyadh in the fall. “I’ll accept a smaller payday. The main thing is that I get this fight,” said Opetaia.
Opetaia’s future lies in the heavyweight segment
Promoter Eddie Hearn wants to keep Opetaia active. In the long term, Matchroom and the New Zealander are planning to move up to heavyweight. Before that, however, the cruiserweight division is to be “cleaned up”. “The plan is clear: all belts by the end of 2025.” In addition to Ramirez, the winner of the WBC World Championship Badou Jack vs Ryan Rozicki could also be a target.
But before the WBC title can be considered for an undisputed fight, unresolved issues need to be clarified. For example, the status of the German Noel Mikaelian. He won the WBC belt in November 2023 with a knockout victory against Ilunga Makabu. Badou Jack had previously relinquished the title and announced his intention to move to bridgerweight. However, world champion Mikaelian did not compete against mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki and was subsequently downgraded to “Champion in Recess” by the WBC(all the background in the big BOXSPORT interview). Badou Jack, whose bridgerweight plans fell through, was reinstated as cruiserweight champion by the WBC. Before a possible undisputed fight can take place, the WBC must first clear the air internally – or the Saudis will have to wave their checkbook.
Text: Andreas Ohlberger