Jai Opetaia Will Face Cinkara Next -- Unification With Ramirez Looms

Jai Opetaia faces Huseyin Cinkara to defend his IBF Title

Jai Opetaia during the ceremonial grand arrivals at the Boulevard City Music World, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2024. / Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images.

By Daniel Mukenya

Jai Opetaia will be back in the ring only three months after he last heard the bell. The rising Southern Hemisphere star will face Huseyin Cinkara. Cinkara is his mandatory challenger to defend his IBF world title.

Cinkara became the IBF’s mandatory challenger after winning an eliminator in April. In that fight he dispatched Armend Xhoxhaj of Albania in just four minutes. He improved to 22-0, (18 KOs) in the process.

Opataia had requested an exception from the IBF to be allowed to defend the IBF title against Massey. It was approved but under multiple conditions, they included that it should take place before October 12. The IBF also stipulated that the winner must fight again by January 20, 2025. That fight was set againt the IBF cruiserweight mandatory challenger.

Opetaia, 26-0 (20 KOs), was last in the ring on October 12 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In that match he defeated Jack Massey (22-3, 12 KOs). It was his third time to appear at the Kingdom Arena. If he gets past Cinkara a unification fight with Gilberto Ramirez in Saudi Arabia seems a likely option.

However, his next fight will be back in Australia. The Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia will host this important match. Its a venue of deep importance to the Aussie.
Opertai won his first world title and the lineal championship there in his first fight with Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20KOs) in July 2022.

He lives in the nearby city of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia and a sizable contiengent of Australian fight fans have traveled to Riyadh for his last matches.

Mexican Gilberto Ramirez aka Zurdo, is now both the WBA and WBO belts following his clear unanimous decision over Chris Billam-Smith this past weekend in Saudi Arabia.

A unification fight between the two makes sense for the end of the Riyadh Season in May 2025.