Jai Opetaia’s hopes of dealing with one other cruiserweight world champion have been given recent life.
The hard-hitting Australian retained his IBF title in sometimes brutal style, stopping obligatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara within the eighth spherical on December 6. The emphatic end was rapidly overshadowed by concern for Cinkara, who was taken to hospital after the bout amid studies of bleeding on the mind. A couple of days later, the 40-year-old was launched whereas recovering from a fractured neck.
Opetaia’s second reign as IBF champion now stands at 4 profitable defences, having overcome former titlist Mairis Briedis for a second time to win the title. Critics have argued that, past these two victories, the 30-year-old’s résumé lacks marquee names. Opetaia, nonetheless, has actively pursued unification bouts, chasing showdowns with former WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith and now-unified titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
These hopes appeared to fade when it was revealed that David Benavidez will transfer up from light-heavyweight to problem Ramirez subsequent Could, seemingly blocking Opetaia’s path to a two-belt conflict.
But one world title stays accessible. The WBC belt now belongs to Noel Mikaelian, who reclaimed the title by defeating Badou Jack in Las Vegas final weekend. Whereas the competition itself was forgettable, the brand new champion has made it clear he’s prepared to face Opetaia –– welcome information for the IBF holder.
Talking to Boxing Scene, Mikaelian mentioned:
“Nice, let’s do it –– I’m able to go. Simply inform him to signal an enormous verify.”
Opetaia will now hope his workforce can put collectively a proposal sturdy sufficient to show ambition into actuality and at last safe the unification bout he craves.
