Latest news with #WBO
The Advertiser
7 hours 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.
West Australian
10 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
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.
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Former WBO super welterweight world champion Jaime Munguia reportedly fails VADA drug test
Mexico's Jaime Munguia (R) works against France's Bruno Surace during their super middleweight fight at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 4, 2025. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) Jaime Munguia has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance following his rematch victory over Bruno Surace. Munguia, the former WBO super welterweight world champion, returned an adverse analytical finding for an exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites in a urine sample taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association around Munguia's fight with Surace on May 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to Ring Magazine. Advertisement Munguia will likely face a suspension from the British Boxing Board of Control, under whose jurisdiction the bout took place, unless his B sample tests negative. The Mexican boxer has 10 days to request analysis of his B sample. Additionally, Munguia's 12-round unanimous decision win over Surace will likely be overturned to a no-contest. Surace was a frontrunner for Upset of the Year and Knockout of the Year when he brutally dispatched Munguia in the sixth round of their first fight last December. Munguia, a -2500 favorite, was seemingly miles in front on the scorecards but walked into a counter right hand from Surace in the final minute of the sixth and ultimately failed to beat the 10 count. For the rematch, Munguia teamed up with renowned boxing trainer Eddy Reynoso. Reynoso is best known for being the longtime coach of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who himself defeated Munguia in May 2024. Munguia boxed a disciplined fight to take a comfortable unanimous decision over Surace in their second meeting, which was the co-feature to Alvarez's undisputed title win over William Scull. Instead of being wild and reckless, as he had been in previous fights, Munguia was patient behind his heavy jab and worked on creating openings to Surace's midsection.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Moses Itauma reaches number one in WBO ratings
Moses Itauma is one step closer to a shot at a world title after the British heavyweight was moved up to number one in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) ratings. Itauma, now 12-0 (10), made quick work of Mike Balogun on the undercard of Taylor-Essuman, sending the American down to the canvas three times before a second-round stoppage. The 20-year-old has risen to number one after Justis Huni was removed from the WBO's ratings. The Australian is set to face Fabio Wardley for the interim WBA heavyweight championship in June. Huni had been first with the WBO with Itauma second, but the absence of the former has seen the latter jump to number one. News of Itauma's new rating was announced by WBO president Gustavo Olivieri prior to the release of the full ranking lists. Taking to Twitter, Olivieri wrote: 'Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It's only a matter of time before he gets his shot and the world sees a new star emerge.' Olivieri reiterated that Joseph Parker remains the WBO's mandatory challenger for reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk, despite Itauma's new-found number one status. He continued: 'For the record: While Moses Itauma holds the WBO's #1 world ranking in the heavyweight division, this alone does not confer mandatory status. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker remains the official mandatory and retains priority, per WBO rules.' Now clearly in title contention, Itauma's promoter Frank Warren is already eyeing up his next opponents. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Prior to his defeat of Balogun, Itauma had been linked to a fight with Martin Bakole, but both fighter and promoter have since distanced themselves from the former 'boogeyman' of the division. Instead, Warren has suggested that his client could face Swede Otto Wallin or American Jermaine Franklin, 23-2 (15), with both heavyweights representing a step-up for Itauma. Wallin, 34-3 (15), is well known on British shores, having fought – and lost – against Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, and Anthony Joshua. Speaking to BoxNation, Warren shared: 'I think Otto Wallin would be a great fight for him next. Otto's proven himself to be a very durable, tough opponent, who garners respect from the boxing community because of the work he's done against Tyson [Fury] and Anthony [Joshua]. 'For Moses – who wants to get rounds in – that's probably a great shout. Jermaine Franklin's another one that I particularly like the look of.'
