Australia’s top boxer has become almost impossible to lure into a fight—until now.
How far would you go to land a punch from Jai Opetaia? For his preferred opponents, the WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez would demand around US$8 million (about A$12 million) and the WBC counterpart Badou Jack roughly US$10 million. That kind of money doesn’t exist in cruiserweight circles, underscoring not only Opetaia’s elite status but also how avoided he has become. His aspiration is clear: unify the cruiserweight division. Yet the biggest names keep dodging him, forcing Opetaia to consider taking on someone he could have earned more money to stay away from.
That opponent is Huseyin Cinkara, the IBF mandatory challenger, who is set to earn about US$70,000 at a sold-out Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday night. In fact, he would have pocketed around US$30,000 more had he accepted a side‑step offer to step aside. The relative mismatch in pay highlights Cinkara’s belief that, despite being a long shot, he can pull off a massive upset and seize Opetaia’s title.
“I’m here to fight, and I’m going to win,” said the 40-year-old German-born Turkish contender, who prepared for war after declaring he possesses the power to seal victory. The two undefeated fighters faced off Friday ahead of a stacked Ring of Fire card, which will be broadcast live and exclusively on Stan pay-per-view on Saturday.
Opetaia has turned down lucrative moves to move up to heavyweight, staying focused on his goal of unifying the cruiserweight titles. He accepts that Ramirez will likely continue to steer clear, instead facing high-profile light-heavyweight David Benavidez. Opetaia hopes Benavidez wins and then laces up for a showdown with him next. For now, the immediate hurdle is Cinkara.
“Just another day in the office,” Opetaia said. “I’m here to put on a clinic.”
For Cinkara, who fights at 40, this is probably his last chance to topple a big name. For Opetaia, a decade younger, bigger paydays lie ahead if he emerges unscathed.
Ring of Fire undercard highlights include Max McIntyre vs Jed Morris for the WBC Australasian super middleweight title, Jake Wyllie vs Paul Fleming, Teremoana Teremoana vs German Garcia Montes, Benny Mahoney vs Winston Hill for the IBF Pan Pacific super welterweight title, Jason Moloney vs Herlan Gomez for the WBC Australasian bantamweight title, and Jack Gregory vs Hayden Emmerson for the IBF Youth middleweight world title.
Opetaia’s camp notes that Cinkara was offered more money to step aside than to fight. “He thinks he’ll knock Jai out. He’s delusional,” said Opetaia’s manager, Mick Francis.
Opetaia remains one of Australia’s best-kept sporting secrets—admired by boxing insiders and feared by rivals, yet not a household name locally. That could change if he captures the unified cruiserweight crown and mirrors heavyweight-style success, though the current challenge is simply finding willing opponents.
“Ramirez’s asking price is pie in the sky,” Francis commented. “Ramirez doesn’t want to fight Jai. He’s 36, has a young family, and is a Mexican superstar with endorsements. He wouldn’t have earned $8 million in his entire career. Benavidez is a different beast—relentless, fearless, and not intimidated by anyone. He’s the kind of opponent Jai would face next if the stars align.”
Ring of Fire: Opetaia vs. Cinkara takes place Saturday, December 6, with the main card live from 6pm AEDT. Order now on Stan pay-per-view.
