Jai Opetaia: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Jai Opetaia holds every major cruiserweight title that matters, defended his crown against legitimate contenders, and just accepted a dangerous step-up fight against Deontay Wilder.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / October 19

Opetaia Enters Camp For Potential Wilder Clash

Jai Opetaia has begun training camp for a potential heavyweight debut against Deontay Wilder, ESPN reports. The move would mark Opetaia's first fight at the sport's marquee weight class and could land on what is being billed as the biggest night in European boxing history.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / October 10

Jai Opetaia Could Face Deontay Wilder on The Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua Fight Card, Says Dana White

With Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua dominating headlines, their undercards have also generated significant buzz. Dana White recently hinted that Jai Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) could face Deontay Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) in what could be an explosive showdown.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / October 8

Deontay Wilder Is Jai Opetaia's Heavyweight Target — Here's Why It Makes Sense

Deontay Wilder could be heading toward an intriguing showdown with undefeated cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, with the potential matchup being discussed for the Tyson Fury vs.

Boxing News / KO on SI / September 30

Andre Ward Shares Verdict on Jai Opetaia vs David Benavidez

Regardless of division, the fight between two elite fighters for weight-class dominance takes on a different tone. The cruiserweight division will certainly capture the attention of fans and media should the potential matchup between undefeated fighters Jai Opetaia and David Benavidez go forward.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 24

Brown Rejects Opetaia Shot, Plans Three-Fight Path

Pat Brown has no interest in rushing into a world title shot. The newly crowned British cruiserweight champion stopped John Hedges in six rounds at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on Saturday, then promptly told reporters he wanted more seasoning before facing Ring champion Jai Opetaia.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 23

Brown's Road Map To Cruiserweight Title Shot

Pat Brown's British cruiserweight title win over John Hedges on Saturday has sparked immediate talk of a world title challenge against Ring champion Jai Opetaia, but the 26-year-old says he wants more fights first.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 21

Opetaia Rejects Eight-Month Wait For Benavidez

Ring champion Jai Opetaia says he won't wait eight months for David Benavidez and plans to fight twice before their May 2027 showdown. The unbeaten Australian cruiserweight stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round on September 12 and called Benavidez into the ring afterward.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 21

David Benavidez ‘Can Be A Problem’ For Jai Opetaia, Says Teddy Atlas

Jai Opetaia (31-0, 24 KOs) and David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) have verbally agreed to fight in 2027, with the Cinco de Mayo weekend in May as the target.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 19

Opetaia Maintains Undisputed Dream After IBF Strip

Jai Opetaia still plans to become undisputed cruiserweight champion despite losing two titles without stepping into the ring. The Australian was stripped of the IBF belt in March after he outpointed Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas, then learned the WBC had declared its title vacant before his ninth-round stoppage of Noel Mikaelian on Saturday.

Boxing News / ESPN / September 17

Men's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Where does Opetaia land after another KO win?

Jai Opetaia continues to make his case as one of the best boxers in the world. Here are the latest ESPN pound-for-pound rankings.

Boxing News / KO on SI / September 15

WBC Clears the Path for Blockbuster Benavidez-Opetaia Fight

When many fans, casual or hardcore, think of boxing and the excitement that it entails, cruiserweight may not readily come to mind. Yet, the division could be the location of one of the most anticipated fights in years.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 14

Opetaia Calls Out Benavidez After Vegas Knockout

Jai Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in nine rounds Saturday night in Las Vegas and immediately called for a unification fight against David Benavidez. The Australian won the vacant Regular WBA cruiserweight strap at the Zuffa Boxing event, adding to his existing Zuffa and The Ring titles, per MMA Mania.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / September 13

Jai Opetaia Stops Noel Mikaelian in Ninth, Sets Stage for David Benavidez Superfight

LAS VEGAS — Jai Opetaia faced adversity, recovered and then reminded the cruiserweight division why he remains one of boxing’s most dangerous champions.

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Boxing News / Bloody Elbow / September 13

Jai Opetaia doesn’t win WBC belt despite knocking out Noel Mikaelian amid Don King legal dispute

Jai Opetaia scored a massive stoppage of Noel Mikaelian tonight in Las Vegas, but remains without a major governing body belt. Back in March, Opetaia dominated Brandon Glanton at the Meta Apex to defend his IBF cruiserweight title, but was stripped due to issues between Zuffa Boxing and the sanctioning body.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 13

Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian Fight Results: Opetaia Stops Mikaelian, Faces Off With David Benavidez

LAS VEGAS- Jai Opetaia knew he needed a win on Saturday night, and as a result, he secured a ninth-round TKO over Noel Mikaelian (28-4, 12 KOs) to retain his Ring and Zuffa cruiserweight titles, with the WBC decision to be made on Monday.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 11

Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian: A Closer Look at This Lineal Cruiserweight Title Fight

What’s at stake for Jai Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs) and Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) when they fight Saturday in the co-feature of Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / March 26

IBF Strips Jai Opetaia Again After Zuffa Title Fight, Cruiserweight Belt Vacant

The cruiserweight division has been thrown into turmoil once again. Jai Opetaia has officially been stripped of the IBF cruiserweight championship for a second time, following his decision to compete in a Zuffa Boxing title bout earlier this month.

Boxing News / KO on SI / March 23

Jai Opetaia Stripped of IBF Cruiserweight Title

When Jai Opetaia fought Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa Cruiserweight world title on March 8 at the Meta Apex, many wondered how the IBF would handle their reigning champion fighting for another belt.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / March 9

Jai Opetaia Becomes Zuffa Boxings’ First Champion

Jai Opetaia delivered a masterclass performance Saturday night in Las Vegas, shutting out Brandon Glanton over 12 rounds to defend his cruiserweight crown and capture the first championship belt awarded by Zuffa Boxing.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / March 9

Jai Opetaia Defeats Brandon Glanton to Become First Zuffa Boxing World Champion

In a landmark event for boxing’s newest big promotion, Zuffa Boxing officially crowned its first-ever world champion on Sunday night, as Jai Opetaia and

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / March 7

Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton: When It Starts and Ring Walk Times

Jai Opetaia returns to the ring on Sunday, March 8, when he defends his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles against Brandon Glanton at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / March 4

Jai Opetaia Vs. Brandon Glanton: Preview, storylines

Jai Opetaia returns to the ring on Sunday, March 8, when he defends his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles against Brandon Glanton at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Boxing News / KO on SI / December 8

Jai Opetaia Opponent Remains Hospitalized After Brutal KO Loss

Huseyin Cinkara's first world title fight against Jai Opetaia cost him more than he bargained for. Although Cinkara pushed Opetaia further than many predicted, he ultimately succumbed to a ruthless eighth-round knockout loss.

Boxing News / KO on SI / October 2, 2025

Jai Opetaia's Next Bout Confirmed As Unification Continues to Allude Him

Australian fighter Jai Opetaia has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and talented fighters in world boxing right now. Aged 30, the IBF World Cruiserweight champion has a record of 28-0, with 22 wins coming by way of knockout.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / August 30, 2025

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

For over three years, Jai Opetaia has been recognized as the world’s top cruiserweight. Since his breakthrough victory over Mairis Breidis in July 2022 achieved despite fighting with a broken jaw the Australian has reaffirmed his dominance, repeating the win in their 2024 rematch and staying unbeaten at 30 years old.