Jay Opetaia has made it clear that he isn’t rushing to achieve his goal of unifying the cruiserweight division, even if it means reluctantly traveling to Los Angeles to face his next opponent in person. The undefeated IBF and The Ring champion is set to defend his title against Turkish challenger Huseyin Cinkara on the Gold Coast on December 6th. This fight marks Opetaia’s eighth since grabbing both belts over three years ago, following a flawless 28-0 record with two commanding knockouts in 2025 alone.
Despite his powerful performances, Opetaia has yet to unify all the cruiserweight belts, partly due to the relatively small Australian market and his intimidating presence. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who holds the WBO and WBA titles, is prioritizing a defense against David Benavidez in May after returning from shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, WBC champion Badou Jack—based in Las Vegas—will defend his belt in a rematch on the same day as Opetaia’s fight but in Los Angeles.
Opetaia’s team has criticized Ramirez for avoiding a unification bout, but if Opetaia wins on the Gold Coast, he hopes to challenge Jack for the WBC title. “They’re upset, but we’ll stick to winning,” Opetaia told AAP. He aims to move up in weight and become a multi-division world champ but insists on securing all cruiserweight belts first. “I’m calm, winning, and not letting anyone rush me,” he said.
Promoter Mick Francis added that they’ll head to the U.S. immediately after Opetaia’s upcoming fight to pursue a showdown with that fight’s winner. Opetaia expressed frustration over having to chase opponents but remains ready, saying, “If they want to fight, we’ll fight.”
The Gold Coast event will feature Opetaia versus Jake Wylie as the headline, alongside notable fighters like Jason Moloney and heavyweights Justice Hooni and Telemoana Jr. In a significant move, Francis teamed up with Stan Sports to create a major pay-per-view event rivaling Fox Sports’ Main Event and DAZN. Opetaia, Australia’s youngest Olympian boxer who competed in London at just 17, reflects on their unconventional approach to the sport, “We’re doing things differently, but I stay focused on winning because that’s what matters.”
Fan Take: This news is huge for fight fans because Opetaia’s steady rise and patience in unifying the cruiserweight division could finally bring clarity to a fragmented weight class. His willingness to face top contenders and push for unification highlights a dedication that could elevate the sport’s global appeal and inspire more high-stakes matchups in boxing.
