Off night, but trademark Opetaia KO paves way for more
Murray Wenzel |
A frustrated Jai Opetaia has immediately returned his focus to world title unification after what he described as a bad night at the office still resulted in another one-punch highlight-reel knockout.
Australia’s only current male boxing world champion defended his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts against testing German mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on Saturday.
The 30-year-old was wobbled by two sharp right hands from the 40-year-old in the second round that triggered gasps through the sold-out Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre crowd.
But Opetaia kept his feet and then dominated the fight, setting up Cinkara for a left hook that sent the Istanbul-based giant into the ropes and left him prone on the canvas for several minutes midway through the eighth round.
It was the Gold Coast-based former Olympian’s third defence this year, the third time he’s left his opponent in disarray, and the seventh easy kill in eight fights since first claiming his titles more than three years ago.
But Opetaia was filthy with his own performance, pacing in the ring post-fight and refusing to speak to media in his change-room once the dust had settled late on Saturday night.
“I fought like shit to be honest, but you get these nights,” he said in the ring.
“A lot of mistakes and I’m so pissed off, but we got the win and we move forward.”
The 29-0 fighter has been attempting to unify his division for three years, and his team is confident those targets can hide no more.
Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, owner of the WBO and WBA straps, is the biggest culprit, having announced a defence for May next year against American David Benavidez in what will be his return from shoulder surgery.
Swedish-born Badou Jack, who boxes out of Las Vegas, will put his WBC belt on the line in a rematch with Noel Mikaelian in Los Angeles on December 13.
Opetaia’s promoter Mick Francis, who heads Tasman Fighters, told AAP they planned to travel to the US this week and confront the winner of that fight.
“We want the unification fights. I’m just chasing the belts, I’ve been asking for them for a long time,” Opetaia said.
Francis has accused Mexican veteran Ramirez of ducking the Australian.
“Jai’s been calling this guy out for over a year now … it’s about time he grows some nuts and takes on Jai Opetaia,” Francis said.
Saturday’s card also featured the successful return of former bantamweight world champion Jason Moloney in his Tasman Fighters debut, as well as dominant stoppage wins for Max McIntyre and Ben Mahoney.
But there was frustration when Paul Fleming’s comeback clash with Jake Wyllie ended in a draw and the three judges’ wide cards were called into question.
AAP
