CRUISER CONTROL
“It wasn’t just about meeting them. It was the way they both showed respect toward me. That meant a lot. I think people in America, the U.K., around Europe, they experience things like that. It’s normal for them to get that kind of respect. People in Australia? Pacific Islanders? It doesn’t happen often. “It’s difficult to put into words how that made me feel.” Why wouldn’t the Hall of Famers show Opetaia respect? He might be well on his way to becoming one of them, a generational talent, although he has significant challenges ahead. That includes luring his reluctant 200-pound rivals into the ring and at some point moving up to face the big boys at heavyweight. First things first, though. The 2012 Olympian, a complete boxer with heavyweight power, is generally considered the best cruiserweight in the world after defeating Mairis Briedis by a unanimous decision to win the Ring championship in 2022. He has successfully defended it six times, along with four defenses of the IBF title he currently holds. Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) wants to leave no doubt by becoming undisputed champion, however. The problem is that the other top 200-pounders have thus far failed to cooperate, at least from his perspective. He’s scheduled to face mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs) on December 6 at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, a fight he is taking seriously but a mismatch on paper. He’d rather be fighting WBA and WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez, who has expressed interest in facing Opetaia in a unification bout but “is asking for crazy money,” according to Opetaia’s manager, Mick Francis. And Ramirez is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, which rules him out for now anyway. That leaves WBC beltholder Badou Jack, a 41-year-old who might be more interested in collecting as much money as possible than stepping into a
lion’s den at this stage of his otherwise excellent career. Of course, Opetaia understands his sport is called prizefighting for a reason. At the same time, he doesn’t understand the mindset of those who avoid genuine challenges for business or other reasons. He wants to demonstrate in the ring that he’s king of his division. And the only way to do that is to face opponents with the best chance of beating him. That would be Ramirez, Jack, Chris Billam-Smith and possibly David Benavidez if the 175-pounder moves up to 200. Opetaia doesn’t have kind words for those whose primary motivation is money.
convinced he’ll get what the others appear to be pursuing: “If I stick to my guns, continue to chase my dreams, I believe the money will come anyway.” Opetaia was asked to provide his dream scenario at cruiserweight and he quickly transitioned from frustrated to animated. First a victory in his mandatory on December 6, then the winner of Jack’s title defense against Noel Mikaelian on December 13, then Ramirez, assuming he has fully recovered from his surgery, then perhaps Benavidez, which Opetaia believes would be a compelling matchup … and then he stopped himself. He was beginning to sound arrogant, as if these rivals are bowling pins he
“If you want to be undisputed, there has to be sacrifices – has to be. I’m willing to take pay cuts, willing to do the things that make fights get over the line. They aren’t.”
“I’m happy where I am,” Opetaia said. “At the same time, I want more. I want to be chasing unification fights. I feel like the other world champions have a different idea about proving they’re the best. They’re hiding from the fight; they’re avoiding it. They should want to prove they’re the best. Instead, they’re chasing big paydays. “If you want to be undisputed, there has to be sacrifices – has to be. I’m willing to take pay cuts, willing to do the things that make fights get over the line. They aren’t. And it speaks volumes about what they really want, which is getting a quick payday and then leaving. It’s like they’re holding the belts for ransom. If they believe they can beat me, why not take the fight? “They’re taking mandatory fights, fighting other people for half the money they’d get fighting me. It’s still not enough. Knowing this could be their last payday. That’s what’s stopping them.” And, perhaps ironically, Opetaia is
could easily topple and not genuine threats to him. That’s not who he wants to be. He respects Jack, Ramirez, Benavidez and any other championship- level fighter who is willing to step into the ring with him. He said he simply believes that none of the above can beat him if he’s fully prepared physically and mentally, which reveals both his confidence and professionalism. “The way I’m talking about these fights, it sounds like they’re easy fights,” he said. “I believe these are very hard fights. I don’t believe any of them are walkovers. I believe I have to train hard, come in at the best of my ability to win. … If I train properly, if I execute my game plan on fight night, if I’m ready for 12 rounds of war, then I’ll get my hand raised.” He just needs the opportunities. And there’s hope, according to Francis. Opetaia’s career-long adviser actually paints a bleak picture of the situation
RINGMAGAZINE.COM 67
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker