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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Boxing great's advice in 'threat' Opetaia's title chase
Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to." Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to." Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to."
West Australian
4 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Boxing great's advice in 'threat' Opetaia's title chase
Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to."
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Boxing great's advice in 'threat' Opetaia's title chase
Terence Crawford has backed Jai Opetaia to punch through the boxing red tape that's so-far robbed him of world title unification in a superstar endorsement ahead of his latest defence. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast on Sunday against Claudio Squeo (17-0). In what's been dubbed a stay-busy fight, the unbeaten Italian is the latest man in the way of Opetaia's quest for unification that's stretched nearly three years since he sensationally first won the belts. The 29-year-old has long sought a duel with Mexican superstar Gilberto Ramirez, the two-division champion who currently holds the WBA and WBO belts. Optimism is building that the pair will clash later this year, potentially on the Crawford-Canelo Alvarez undercard in September in Las Vegas. The American will attempt to make history against Alvarez, stepping up to super middleweight in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion and boxing's first three-weight undisputed champion. Well versed in boxing politics, the 37-year-old has feuded with and sued former Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and is now among the most influential figures in the sport. "When you're at the top and a threat, those big names avoid you," Crawford told AAP after spending time in Opetaia's camp ahead of Sunday's fight. "I tell him to keep his head up, keep working hard and don't give up. Keep trying to unify and keep being yourself. "Everybody knows he's tough and he can punch and he can fight. "A lot of people don't want to take the chance of getting in there with him and taking a loss. "But his name isn't as internationally big as other fighters, so they'd rather go another route to bigger-money fights." Ramirez will fight a mandatory defence later this month on a card headlined by Youtuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who wants to fight the Mexican as he chases a genuine world title of his own. Ramirez insists he isn't dodging Opetaia but Opetaia's manager Mick Francis is wary. "I truly hope Jai gets this shot as he's been promised three times before but that (fighting on Paul's card) worries me," he told AAP. Francis, a former rugby league player who runs Tasman Fighters, has been in the United Kingdom ahead of Justis Huni's interim world title fight that will be decided hours before Opetaia steps into the ring. He will likely also travel to the United States after this weekend's fight to seek out assurances with Ramirez's camp. The time-zone difference to the US means the fight is untenable in Australia without government support. Francis is hopeful promoter Eddie Hearn, Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, who has backed Opetaia on recent Riyadh Season cards, and Ramirez's US-based Golden Boy Promotions - run by Oscar De La Hoya - can come to terms. "I'll rally the troops. Jai's already said he'll sacrifice half his purse to make this fight," he said. "For this one it's not about the money, it's about the belts and leaving a legacy. "It doesn't matter where it is; he'll fight him on the moon if he has to."
ABC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Jai Opetaia to defend IBF, Ring cruiserweight world titles against Claudio Squeo
When Jai Opetaia goes to work next week he will be carrying on the family business he joined at the age of eight. A fourth generation boxer on his dad's side and third generation on his mum's, the IBF and Ring magazine cruiserweight champion grew up in the boxing ring — literally. His father Tapu is still his coach. "I didn't have a choice really," Opetaia said. "It was just something that was passed down to me." He won his first amateur fight as an eight-year-old and has not looked back. At 16 he made the national team for the London Games, becoming the youngest Olympic boxer in Australia's history. He credits that experience — a teenager fighting against grown men at heavyweight — for developing his technique, skill and fight IQ. "They were 10 times stronger than me," Opetaia said. "They would have thrown me around like a rag doll but I had greater boxing ability." Opetaia captured the world title in 2022, fighting nine of 12 rounds with a badly-broken jaw to beat Mairis Briedis in a bloody war. Since then he has defended his belts five times, winning four of those contests by brutal knockout. The 29-year-old boasts an undefeated 27-0 record and is now regarded as one of the most devastating power punchers in the sport. But despite his fearsome reputation among boxing fans and his status as Australia's best pound-for-pound boxer he is far from a household name. That is because in the brash world of professional boxing Opetaia flies under the radar, preferring to let his performances in the ring do the talking. "I'm not trying to be anyone I'm not," Opetaia said. Next Sunday he defends his title against little-known challenger Claudio Squeo at Broadbeach, a few minutes down the road from the Surfers Paradise gym where he trains. While also undefeated, Squeo enters as a 26-1 underdog having never fought outside of his native Italy. Still, the June 8 fight is a risky proposition. An upset loss could jeopardise a blockbuster unification bout with Mexican Gilberto Ramirez who holds the WBA and WBO belts, slated for the under card of the Canelo Alvarez vs Terrence Crawford super fight in September. For Opetaia it is the opportunity of a lifetime and a chance to cement his place as one of the biggest names in the sport. "For someone from our neck of the woods, an Australian, a Pacific Islander, to be on one of those cards fighting for a world title — that's the definition of hard work," he said. "For young Australian fighters to see people like me up there fighting on the biggest cards in the world, it's special." But he knows there is no guarantee. It is a fight Opetaia has been chasing for more than a year, one he says Ramirez has repeatedly turned down. "He wants to get paid, I want more belts. If you're the best I feel like the money will come, all you have got to do is keep winning. "No-one else is the best in the cruiserweight division until they beat me."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Boxing unification call-out is music to Opetaia's ears
Gilberto Ramirez has rubbished suggestions he doesn't want to fight Jai Opetaia, in the surest sign yet their blockbuster world title unification clash will happen. Australian IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Opetaia (27-0) first won those belts nearly three years ago, but has not been given the chance to add more. That looks set to end as early as September, potentially in the US on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford card, should they both win their upcoming defences as expected. Opetaia meets Italian Claudio Squeo (17-0) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre next Sunday, then Mexican southpaw Ramirez defends the WBO and WBA straps against Yuneil Dorticus 20 days later. Ramirez, the 33-year-old former WBO super middleweight champion, is the co-main to Jake Paul's own headliner against Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. His alliance with the YouTuber-turned-boxer had added to the doubts about a potential fight with Opetaia, with Paul a potential opponent for Ramirez in what would be a big-money fight. But Opetaia's camp are confident Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh will back their unification pursuit and, a week out from the Squeo fight, Ramirez has moved to dispel any doubts he's ducking. "People want to see that fight, I want that fight," he said. "Jai Opetaia keeps saying I don't want to fight him. "It's not like what he says. I have the mandatory (on June 28) ... I will take care of him after the mandatory." Despite having his jaw broken twice, Opetaia upset Latvian Mairis Briedis in July 2022 at the same Gold Coast venue to first win the belts. He defended them once with a brutal knockout of Jordan Thompson at Wembley Arena, before the IBF stripped him of the honour when he forged ahead with a big-money fight against Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia. Opetaia, who fought for Australia at the Olympics as a 17-year-old, then won back the IBF belt in a rematch with Briedis, before two comfortable defences. The latest of those was also on the Gold Coast, Opetaia knocking out late call-up David Nyika after an entertaining four-round slugfest. The card will also feature popular Brisbane-based Irish light heavyweight Conor Wallace, who is on track for a world title shot of his own within 12 months. Their Tasman Fighters stablemate Justis Huni is also in action next Sunday, the heavyweight offered a shot at Fabio Wardley for the WBA's interim world title belt at the Englishman's Ipswich home town. He'll fight on June 7 (Sunday morning in Australia), just hours before Opetaia defends his belts in Queensland. Gilberto Ramirez has rubbished suggestions he doesn't want to fight Jai Opetaia, in the surest sign yet their blockbuster world title unification clash will happen. Australian IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Opetaia (27-0) first won those belts nearly three years ago, but has not been given the chance to add more. That looks set to end as early as September, potentially in the US on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford card, should they both win their upcoming defences as expected. Opetaia meets Italian Claudio Squeo (17-0) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre next Sunday, then Mexican southpaw Ramirez defends the WBO and WBA straps against Yuneil Dorticus 20 days later. Ramirez, the 33-year-old former WBO super middleweight champion, is the co-main to Jake Paul's own headliner against Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. His alliance with the YouTuber-turned-boxer had added to the doubts about a potential fight with Opetaia, with Paul a potential opponent for Ramirez in what would be a big-money fight. But Opetaia's camp are confident Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh will back their unification pursuit and, a week out from the Squeo fight, Ramirez has moved to dispel any doubts he's ducking. "People want to see that fight, I want that fight," he said. "Jai Opetaia keeps saying I don't want to fight him. "It's not like what he says. I have the mandatory (on June 28) ... I will take care of him after the mandatory." Despite having his jaw broken twice, Opetaia upset Latvian Mairis Briedis in July 2022 at the same Gold Coast venue to first win the belts. He defended them once with a brutal knockout of Jordan Thompson at Wembley Arena, before the IBF stripped him of the honour when he forged ahead with a big-money fight against Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia. Opetaia, who fought for Australia at the Olympics as a 17-year-old, then won back the IBF belt in a rematch with Briedis, before two comfortable defences. The latest of those was also on the Gold Coast, Opetaia knocking out late call-up David Nyika after an entertaining four-round slugfest. The card will also feature popular Brisbane-based Irish light heavyweight Conor Wallace, who is on track for a world title shot of his own within 12 months. Their Tasman Fighters stablemate Justis Huni is also in action next Sunday, the heavyweight offered a shot at Fabio Wardley for the WBA's interim world title belt at the Englishman's Ipswich home town. He'll fight on June 7 (Sunday morning in Australia), just hours before Opetaia defends his belts in Queensland. Gilberto Ramirez has rubbished suggestions he doesn't want to fight Jai Opetaia, in the surest sign yet their blockbuster world title unification clash will happen. Australian IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion Opetaia (27-0) first won those belts nearly three years ago, but has not been given the chance to add more. That looks set to end as early as September, potentially in the US on the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford card, should they both win their upcoming defences as expected. Opetaia meets Italian Claudio Squeo (17-0) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre next Sunday, then Mexican southpaw Ramirez defends the WBO and WBA straps against Yuneil Dorticus 20 days later. Ramirez, the 33-year-old former WBO super middleweight champion, is the co-main to Jake Paul's own headliner against Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr. His alliance with the YouTuber-turned-boxer had added to the doubts about a potential fight with Opetaia, with Paul a potential opponent for Ramirez in what would be a big-money fight. But Opetaia's camp are confident Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh will back their unification pursuit and, a week out from the Squeo fight, Ramirez has moved to dispel any doubts he's ducking. "People want to see that fight, I want that fight," he said. "Jai Opetaia keeps saying I don't want to fight him. "It's not like what he says. I have the mandatory (on June 28) ... I will take care of him after the mandatory." Despite having his jaw broken twice, Opetaia upset Latvian Mairis Briedis in July 2022 at the same Gold Coast venue to first win the belts. He defended them once with a brutal knockout of Jordan Thompson at Wembley Arena, before the IBF stripped him of the honour when he forged ahead with a big-money fight against Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia. Opetaia, who fought for Australia at the Olympics as a 17-year-old, then won back the IBF belt in a rematch with Briedis, before two comfortable defences. The latest of those was also on the Gold Coast, Opetaia knocking out late call-up David Nyika after an entertaining four-round slugfest. The card will also feature popular Brisbane-based Irish light heavyweight Conor Wallace, who is on track for a world title shot of his own within 12 months. Their Tasman Fighters stablemate Justis Huni is also in action next Sunday, the heavyweight offered a shot at Fabio Wardley for the WBA's interim world title belt at the Englishman's Ipswich home town. He'll fight on June 7 (Sunday morning in Australia), just hours before Opetaia defends his belts in Queensland.
