Jai Opetaia’s Australian homecoming world title defence has been confirmed and his unbeaten opponent has wasted little time throwing down the challenge.
German-born, Türkiye-based mandatory opponent Huseyin Cinkara (22-0) is adamant he can cause a boilover at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on January 8.
The duel was one of the IBF’s demands after it had allowed Opetaia to defend his title against unranked Brit Jack Massey last month.
The fight will be for Opetaia’s IBF Cruiserweight championship and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight championship.
It will be Opetaia’s first fight on home soil since he overcame a badly broken jaw to upset Mairis Breidis and claim those belts more than two years ago.
Opetaia (26-0) has since produced four wins abroad — three ruthless stoppages and a tighter points win in a Briedis rematch — to be considered by many as the world’s best cruiserweight and Australia’s leading active boxer.
A potential unification bout against Mexican star and WBO and WBA belt-holder Gilberto Ramirez awaits as soon as May.
But Cinkara wants to spoil the party.
“I have waited for this fight for a long time, nothing can stop me,” the challenger said on Friday.
After building his reputation in Europe and Saudi Arabia — Riyadh has hosted his past three fights — Opetaia will relish his Australian return and is aware of the 39-year-old’s threat.
“I’ve got all of Australia and Samoa behind me, I can’t let them down,” the 29-year-old said.
“I’m looking forward to overcoming the challenge that Cinkara brings.
“He’s going to be hungry to come here and get his hands on my belts. It’s not going to happen.”
Australian heavyweight Justis Huni (10-0) will co-headline the card when he defends his WBO Global title against South African champion Shaun Potgieter (10-1).
AAP
