Jai Opetaia: 'I Want to Be Undisputed at Cruiserweight — Heavyweight Can Wait'

Heavyweight Rumors Rejected

Recent speculation suggested that Opetaia could follow the money by moving up to heavyweight, with reports of Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh eyeing a clash against Derek Chisora. But speaking to BoxingScene, Opetaia made it clear that his priority remains unifying the cruiserweight division.

“Man, I’m chasing undisputed. I’m only 30 years old. I want to become undisputed cruiserweight champion, and once that’s done, I want to move up to heavy. But, at the moment, undisputed is what I’m aiming for.”

Stalled by Mandatories

Opetaia has been ordered to face his IBF mandatory, Huseyin Cinkara, later this year, with November being targeted. It’s a fight he respects

“This guy’s dangerous… we’ll prepare for war like we always do”  but it’s also another delay in the quest for unification.

His frustration is palpable: “I just don’t understand how we have not got a unification fight yet. We want to see champions against champions. Any unification fight overtakes a mandatory. Let’s make it happen.”

Division in Flux

The cruiserweight picture remains messy:

• Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (WBA, WBO champion) is sidelined after shoulder surgery until 2026.

• Badou Jack (WBC) is set for a rematch with Noel Mikaelian.

• Chris Billam-Smith is lined up to fight Roman Fress for the WBO interim belt.

That leaves Opetaia largely stuck defending mandatories until unifications can be agreed.

Frustration With Rivals

Opetaia believes Ramirez, Jack, and Billam-Smith have all avoided him, citing unrealistic financial demands.

“I’ve been told they’ve been asking for stupid numbers… If they want more, let’s give them more and get it over the line. Once we get this belt, then we can go for another belt.”

On Billam-Smith specifically, he expressed disappointment:

“I tried to get that unification fight for a long time, and he just took a different route. But he’s still a respectable name, and that’s a fight I’d want too.”

Staying Focused

Despite the roadblocks, Opetaia is determined to stay patient, train hard, and keep his eyes on the ultimate prize:

“My whole career’s been frustrating. But we just got to keep pushing forward… I believe I’ll be undisputed one day, so I’ve gotta stay focused.”