‘Not here to play nice’: Opetaia challenger pokes bear
Murray Wenzel |
Huseyin Cinkara reckons Jai Opetaia’s last victim was “too nice” to the Australian and has vowed to attack the world cruiserweight champion, declaring he’s the harder puncher of the pair.
IBF and The Ring champion Opetaia will defend his belts against the unbeaten Turkey-based German talent on the Gold Coast next Saturday.
The pair were meant to meet about a year ago before Cinkara’s (23-0, 19 knockouts) late withdrawal due to injury.
The 30-year-old Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) instead pulverised David Nyika, then broke Claudio Squeo’s jaw, adding to his list of devastating stoppages since first claiming the titles three years ago.
But 40-year-old Cinkara poked the bear on his arrival in the country, saying Opetaia would be foolish to trade blows with him.
“Look, I’ve got respect for Opetaia, he’s earned his place,” Cinkara said.
“But respect don’t win fights. Power does, and I’m the harder puncher between us.
“If he wants to dance, I won’t be surprised. I don’t think he wants to trade with me. I hit harder, I hit faster.”
Opetaia has unsuccessfully chased unification bouts since first winning his belts, forcing him to proceed with a high-risk, low-reward mandatory defence.
“I’ve been training like a man possessed,” Cinkara said.
“I’m not here to play nice – I’m here to take the belts.
“Squeo seemed to be too polite. I’m coming over to knock Opetaia senseless in front of his own fans.
“I’m not asking for respect. I’m demanding it. And I’ll get it the only way I know how.
“I know people write me off, but I will prove them wrong. I believe vulnerability is real, I see cracks, I see chinks in his armour.
“I’m not blind. December 6, those belts change hands.”
The pay-per-view card, to be streamed on Stan Sport in a new deal struck by Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis, will also feature recently dethroned world champion Jason Moloney, Paul Fleming, Teremoana Teremoana Jnr and Justis Huni.
AAP
