In a thrilling development for boxing enthusiasts, Jai Opetaia, the undefeated IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion, is poised to make his debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner. The Australian powerhouse, boasting an impressive record of 29-0 with 23 knockouts, has inked a co-promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing and Tasman Fighters, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes bouts.
Opetaia’s inaugural fight under this new partnership has been confirmed, and it promises to be a blockbuster. He will face off against American contender Brandon Glanton, who holds a record of 21-3 with 18 knockouts. The bout is scheduled for March 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and it will headline the Zuffa Boxing 04 event. This fight is not just another title defense for Opetaia; it marks the crowning of the first-ever Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion.
Dana White, the president of Zuffa Boxing, initially expressed reservations about collaborating with governing bodies. However, the signing of Opetaia seems to have shifted this stance. Opetaia himself has expressed his excitement and readiness for the future, hinting at potential unification and undisputed fights. In a recent social media post, he stated, “Pumped for the future. Exciting times. Let’s get these big fights over the line. Unification, undisputed, soon. Let’s go.”
Opetaia’s ambitions extend beyond his upcoming fight with Glanton. In a recent interview, he expressed his eagerness to face top-tier opponents such as Zurdo Ramirez and David Benavidez. When asked about the potential matchup with Ramirez, Opetaia responded, “Ask him. I’m ready to fight. I’ve been chasing these big fights for quite a while. I wanna call myself undisputed. It is what it is. I’m ready when they are.”
Regarding a possible bout with Benavidez, Opetaia was equally enthusiastic. “If that fight comes, let’s do it. Respectfully, I’ve got a lot of time for him. I’ve seen some of his interviews. He holds himself well. He’s fighting for the right reasons, it’s good, and that’s a massive fight. So, let’s get it on Benavidez!”
Opetaia’s last fight was a decisive victory against Huseyin Cinkara in December, where he secured his 29th career win and fourth defense of his IBF belt with an eighth-round knockout. As he prepares to step into the ring on March 8, the boxing world eagerly anticipates the crowning of the first Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion and the potential unification bouts that could follow.
Team_TBE Boxing
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