Can Jai Opetaia unify the cruiserweight division? Turki Alalsheikh certainly thinks so

Jai Opetaia, the 29-year-old Australian pugilist, is right on the brink of greatness. Fresh off a thumping fourth-round knockout of New Zealand’s David Nyika at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre, Opetaia reinforces his iron grip on the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles.

This victory, a potential “KO of the Year” contender, has not only confirmed his dominance in the cruiserweight division but also caught the eye of Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh has become a significant figure in the boxing world of late as the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, and he envisions a path for Opetaia to unify the cruiserweight division. His objective? To set the stage for a megafight against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Opetaia’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, echoes this sentiment. He emphasizes the importance of unifying the division before making the leap to heavyweight. “I think every fighter should want to unify their division,” Hearn stated. “And I think that’s the only thing missing from Jai’s resume so far.” Hearn has outlined a strategic plan: a unification bout against Mexico’s Gilberto “El Zurdo” Ramirez, who holds the WBA and WBO titles, followed by a showdown for the WBC strap, currently in a state of flux. “Beat Ramirez, capture the WBC, and then move up,” Hearn elaborated. “And that’s still the plan.”

Alalshikh’s influence in the boxing world cannot be overstated. His investments have transformed Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh, into a global boxing hub. The Kingdom Arena, unveiled in January 2024, stands as the world’s highest-capacity covered arena, hosting monumental bouts like Oleksandr Usyk’s recent two victories over Tyson Fury. Alalshikh’s vision extends beyond hosting events; he aims to reshape the sport’s landscape by fostering partnerships with major promotional companies and organizing high-stakes fights that were previously unimaginable.

Opetaia, with an unblemished record of 27-0, is poised to capitalize on this momentum. His recent triumph over Nyika, a former sparring partner who stepped in on short notice, showcased his readiness for the sport’s grandest stages. “We’ve done our apprenticeship,” Opetaia remarked. “This is just all down to the labour. We’ve built this division on my back.”

The prospect of a unification bout with Zurdo Ramirez looms large. Zurdo is a formidable opponent and it is no fluke that he holds two of the four titles in the division. Make no mistake, he would provide a very stern test indeed for Opetaia. A victory would bring the Aussie one step closer to unifying the division, paving the way for a potential clash with Usyk. Such a bout would not only be a career-defining opportunity for Opetaia but also proof positive of the shifting dynamics of global boxing, with Saudi Arabia sitting firmly at its epicenter.

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