Things can happen in the blink of an eye over night in boxing in terms of big opportunities. That’s always been the way in the sport.
It always has been and always will be.
Now, the sport is taking on a leadership role worldwide in all professional sport with major commercial partners, companies and governments in the East and West uniting in the sport to stage very large, powerful events in boxing.
Internationally.
One man from Australia finds himself in the middle of all this now in Australia.
That’s Jai Opetaia. The IBF cruiserweight champion of the world.
He’s promoted by Matchroom in Europe and is linked now to fights against Dmitry Bivol and big unification fights with Badou Jack and Gilberto Ramirez at cruiserweight.
If you look at his career the last few years he has stayed unbeaten, boxed well and put in some heavy hits in his fights.
He’s unbeaten in 28 fights and has 22 knockouts from those.
He’s stepped up his opponents consistently and done the job well in recent years.
As he continues to bulldoze cruiserweight, he has options, there and elsewhere.
Him and his team must know this.
He is maybe one of Australia’s next great champions and that is saying something as well.
Jai Opetaia Suddenly Finds Himself Being Discussed In Major Fights In Boxing
The country has a few good ones in recent years.
Here’s a look at five possible next steps for him:
Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez: WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion (48-1 record); Opetaia has repeatedly called for unification bout after defending IBF title, potentially in late 2025 for all belts except WBC.
Richard Riakporhe: Ranked #2 IBF cruiserweight contender (18-1 record); Previously ordered as mandatory but avoided; a UK-based showdown could test Opetaia’s power against Riakporhe’s knockout streak.
Badou Jack: Former multi-division champion (29-3-3 record) eyeing cruiserweight return; High-profile voluntary defense possible, leveraging Jack’s experience and draw in Saudi Arabia events.
Joseph Parker: Former WBO heavyweight champion (36-3 record) dropping to cruiserweight; Speculated crossover fight for Opetaia to build heavyweight buzz, with Parker’s size advantage in a non-title bout.
Mairis Briedis: IBF #1 ranked cruiserweight (28-3 record); Trilogy fight after Opetaia’s two wins, including a jaw-breaking victory, could headline a major card for undisputed status pursuit.
Australia and the world is Jai Opetaia’s oyster. He must continue to fight always and always look to improve in his fighting. This is what is most important.
If he does this he will go as far as he wants.
The sky is the limit.
