Undefeated Jai Opetaia Prepares for Title Defence

GOLD COAST : World champion boxer Jai Opetaia is ready to step back into the ring this Saturday night to defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles against Germany’s undefeated Huseyin Cinkara. For the 30-year-old, the formula for his success is refreshingly simple and brutally honest.

“There’s no secret formula I could give you. It is legit, just hard work and dedication,” Opetaia told A Current Affair.

With 28 professional victories, 22 by knockout, Opetaia stands as Australia’s only current male world champion. He is renowned not just for his power but for his incredible resilience, demonstrated in his 2022 title win against Mairis Briedis.

In that grueling 12-round battle, Opetaia’s jaw was broken in the second round, yet he battled on to win on points.

“That’s the fight that people started to notice me, but we have been through the trenches to get there,” he said. “You live and die by the sword. Broken jaw, broken bones, they gotta carry you out of that ring.”

Opetaia’s dedication is a trait that has followed him since he was Australia’s youngest ever Olympic boxer at the London Games at 17. His father and coach, Tapu, who runs the family gym on the Gold Coast, was not surprised by the broken-jaw victory.

“He freaking loves it. Those sort [of] athletes are easy to train, guide them which way to go and away they go,” Tapu said.

The fourth-generation boxer knows Cinkara, though “not very well known to the world,” is coming to fight. Opetaia, however, has prepared for the worst.

“I have prepared for 12 rounds of war. I’m willing to dig deep for this, losing to me is just not an option. Let’s see how tough this dude is.”

The title defence will be shown live and exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View.