Latest news with #Ramirez
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."
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Women's College World Series: Tennessee walks off UCLA in extras after dramatic 7th inning
Sunday at the NCAA Women's College World Series came with a pair of win-or-go-home games. The desperate bid to stay alive in the tournament, and advance to the semifinals, came through with plenty of thrills and drama. The first game, between No. 7 Tennessee and No. 9 UCLA, lived up to the hype. The Lady Vols walked off the Bruins with a 5-4 win in extra innings. Advertisement As if that wasn't exciting enough, Tennessee finished the job after a dramatic seventh inning where the Lady Vols blew a two-run lead, and UCLA nearly ended its season on a technicality. Tennessee struck first, with shortstop Laura Mealer hitting a two-run RBI in the first inning to get the Lady Vols on the board. But in the top of the second, UCLA tied things up with a pair of solo homers from catcher Alexis Ramirez and designated player Sofia Mujica. A great defensive effort from both teams kept the score at 2-2 through the first four inning. Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens and UCLA ace Kaitlyn Terry each threw seven strikeouts in the first five innings to keep things even. But then in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Vols broke through again: A huge two-run homer from third baseman Taylor Pannell gave Tennessee a 4-2 lead. The Lady Vols' hot bats kept going, with the team getting two on base, but Terry was able to close out the inning without any more damage. After a scoreless sixth inning, UCLA had one final chance to keep their season alive at the top of the seventh. After getting two outs, Pickens had to face the Bruins' two best hitters, Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant. Woolery hit a single to keep the momentum going, and then Grant hit a massive two-run bomb to send them both home and tie the game. But then, near-heartbreak for UCLA. While celebrating the homer, Grant stepped right over the plate, forgetting to touch it. Ramirez, who was on deck, noticed that Grant had missed the plate and led her back to step on it, but Ramirez's assistance was another violation. With two outs already, the mistake could have ended the Bruins' season right there. Advertisement Tennessee asked the officials to review the ruling, leading to a nearly 10-minute stoppage. However, despite the very lengthy review, the umpires upheld the call that Grant was safe, saying that Grant did miss the plate but that the play was not reviewable, as stated by a niche addendum in the rulebook. Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly, and the Lady Vols fans, were not pleased by the ruling. But the game continued, with Tennessee quickly getting the final out and setting up a potential walk-off. Pannell nearly finished the game right from the jump, smashing a ball towards the ball fence that went just foul. But even with two batters on base, UCLA was able to get a crucial double play to end the inning and keep things moving into extras. The stalemate continued in the eighth inning, with both teams unable to break through despite some key chances. Advertisement With two outs at the top of the ninth, second baseman Savannah Pola and Woolery both got on base after driving singles that went just past the infield, and had bases loaded after Pickens intentionally walked Grant. But despite the opportunity, Ramirez grounded out on the next at-bat to send Tennessee back to the plate. In the bottom of the ninth, Pannell hit a double that hit the very top of the wall, and bounced back into the park — so close to a walk-off homer. (Another review confirmed the double.) After an intentional walk, and a slightly less intentional walk, from UCLA reliever Taylor Tinsley, Tennessee had the bases loaded with one out. Advertisement And then, the moment: Mealer, who gave the Lady Vols their first points of the game, hit a beautiful single to send Pannell home and give Tennessee the 5-4 walk-off win. Tennessee will now move on to play Texas in the semifinals on Monday, but will have to beat the Longhorns twice in order to advance.
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.
