Savage Opetaia knockout seals world title defence
Murray Wenzel |
Jai Opetaia has defied a second-round scare to land a thunderous left hook on his latest would-be challenger in another emphatic world cruiserweight title defence from the Australian.
The Ring and IBF champion stopped previously unbeaten German Huseyin Cinkara in the eighth round of their Gold Coast title fight on Saturday.
Opetaia, who was shocked by a pair of rights that staggered him in the second round, set the German up for a wide, merciless left hand that put the 40-year-old prone on the canvas for several minutes.
It was the third savage stoppage for Opetaia at the Convention and Exhibition Centre this year, the 30-year-old improving to 29-0 and again eyeing unification fights next year.
The Istanbul-based fighter made Opetaia work early before slowing when taking some shots to the body in the fourth round.
“I think I needed it,” Opetaia said of his second-round scare.
“A bit of humble pie, don’t get too big for your boots.”
Critical of his performance, Opetaia hopes his efforts have drawn out a fellow belt-holder next year.
“I fought like shit to be honest, but you get these nights,” he said after his eighth win since first collecting his title straps.
“A lot of mistakes and I’m so pissed off, but we got the win and we move forward
“Watch this space; bigger, stronger and faster.
“We want the unification fights. I’m just chasing the belts, I’ve been asking for them for a long time.”
Cinkara, through a translator after finding his feet, said Opetaia had proved he’s the best cruiserweight in the world.
“I came here for war, was prepared but there’s a reason he’s the No.1 cruiserweight in the world and have no doubt he’ll take all the belts,” he said.
Earlier Jason Moloney and Max McIntyre made statements with stoppage victories over Herlan Gomez and Jed Morris respectively.
But Paul Fleming and Jake Wyllie were left frustrated by a draw in the former’s return to the ring after nearly three years.
One judge gave it to Fleming, one to Wyllie and the third called it a draw.
“Obviously people in here weren’t watching. All respect to Jake and his team, but look at his face. Look at his face, he knows he didn’t win that fight,” Fleming said in the ring.
“I took this fight two and a half years off. Two weight divisions up to what I fought two and a half years ago.
“And then I come back and get ripped. Come on man. You’ve all seen it.”
Earlier, Moloney emphatically ended a two-fight losing streak and declared his return to the top is imminent.
The bantamweight floored Filipino Gomez with a flurry of punches late in the first round before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round.
The 34-year-old had won and lost his WBO world title belt, fighting in the United States, Canada and in front of 50,000 fans in Tokyo, since his past appearance in Australia, more than three years ago.
But, after a successful debut with new promoter Tasman Fighters, he thinks he can return to the top next year.
Twin brother Andrew is set to fight for the IBF super flyweight world title next year.
“Three long years, been way too long,” Jason Moloney, who recently ended a long association with American promoter Top Rank, said. ‘
“So grateful to be back here fighting in Australia and Tasman Fighters for giving me this opportunity
“I’m always going to work hard, but it requires opportunity and Tasman Fighters will give me the platform to stay active and keep getting better.
“Hopefully next year, a world title for me and a world title for my brother.”
AAP
