Huseyin Cinkara reckons Jai Opetaia’s last victim was “too nice” to the Australian and has vowed to attack the world cruiserweight champion, declaring he’s the harder puncher of the pair.<\/p>\n
IBF and The Ring champion Opetaia will defend his belts against the unbeaten Turkey-based German talent on the Gold Coast next Saturday.<\/p>\n
The pair were meant to meet about a year ago before Cinkara’s (23-0, 19 knockouts) late withdrawal due to injury.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) instead pulverised David Nyika, then broke Claudio Squeo’s jaw, adding to his list of devastating stoppages since first claiming the titles three years ago.<\/p>\n
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But 40-year-old Cinkara poked the bear on his arrival in the country, saying Opetaia would be foolish to trade blows with him.<\/p>\n
“Look, I’ve got respect for Opetaia, he’s earned his place,” Cinkara said.<\/p>\n
“But respect don’t win fights. Power does, and I’m the harder puncher between us.<\/p>\n
“If he wants to dance, I won’t be surprised. I don’t think he wants to trade with me. I hit harder, I hit faster.”<\/p>\n
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Opetaia knocked out Italy’s Claudio Squeo in June this year to move his career record to an impressive 28-0 with 22 KOs.\u00a0 (AAP Image: Dave Hunt)<\/p>\n
Opetaia has unsuccessfully chased unification bouts since first winning his belts, forcing him to proceed with a high-risk, low-reward mandatory defence.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been training like a man possessed,” Cinkara said.<\/p>\n
“I’m not here to play nice \u2014 I’m here to take the belts.<\/p>\n
“Squeo seemed to be too polite. I’m coming over to knock Opetaia senseless in front of his own fans.<\/p>\n
ABC Sport will live blog the entire Jai Opetaia vs Huseyin Cinkara card on December 6.<\/p>\n
“I’m not asking for respect. I’m demanding it. And I’ll get it the only way I know how.<\/p>\n
“I know people write me off, but I will prove them wrong. I believe vulnerability is real, I see cracks, I see chinks in his armour.<\/p>\n
“I’m not blind. December 6, those belts change hands.”<\/p>\n
The pay-per-view card, to be streamed on Stan Sport in a new deal struck by Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis, will also feature recently dethroned world champion Jason Moloney, Paul Fleming, Teremoana Teremoana Jnr and Justis Huni.<\/p>\n
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