Jai Opetaia has been offered a blockbuster heavyweight showdown against Great Britain’s Derek Chisora –— with billionaire Saudi promoter Turki Al-Sheikh agreeing to bankroll the IBF world title eliminator.
The revelation comes as Team Opetaia are also in discussions for an IBF and Ring cruiserweight title defence in November – with IBF officials demanding the Australian take his mandatory against Turkey’s Huseyin Cinkara.
Despite long being hailed as a likely heavyweight star, Opetaia first wants to make his name as the undisputed cruiserweight king – which means, most importantly, defeating Mexico’s Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who holds the WBA and WBO crowns.
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From there, the 30-year-old southpaw then wants to face whoever holds the WBC strap, which right now is Badou Jack.
However, Fox Sports Australia can reveal Opetaia is now being urged by no less than His Excellency Al-Sheikh to make an immediate move up, with discussions already in place for UK favourite Chisora.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also suggested his client could also move up after his next defence.
Speaking this week, Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis confirmed the interest in his client – who remains undefeated through 10 years and 28 fights – making the move to heavyweight immediately.
“We’ve spoken with Turki – he wants Jai at heavyweight now,” Francis said.
“And if that were to happen, he’d go straight into number three with the IBF.
“There is also an opportunity there to fight Chisora …”
Asked to expand, Francis continued: “I’ve spoken with the IBF and said ‘if Jai goes up, where would you put him?’.
“And they’ve told me he would go straight to number three in their rankings.
“Turki Al-Sheikh also wants to make that fight with Chisora.
“I’ve spoken with Queensberry too, and they’re interested.
“Everyone knows that fight would be massive.
“There would be plenty of interest.
“Although I’d hate to think how much money Chisora would want, because he’s going to get hurt.
“He’d be no match for Opetaia.
“I know Jai would hurt him.
“Which is incredible to think about because you win and immediately become the mandatory for the IBF heavyweight crown.”
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Yet despite the enticing offer, Francis insists his client wants to first become undisputed king.
After initially winning both the IBF and Ring titles in 2021 – defeating Mairis Briedis with a jaw broken in two places – Opetaia has since spent fours years trying to add further straps to his collection.
Most recently, the Aussie has been chasing a unification showdown with ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
However, any potential bout has again now been delayed as the Mexican superstar continues to recover from shoulder surgery.
Elsewhere, fellow champ Jack has been forced into a WBC title rematch with Noel Mikaelyan, who he earned a contentious majority decision win against in May.
All of which means Opetaia will now have to defend at least once more in November, and possibly twice, before finally getting a chance to fight for the other three belts in 2026.
“But Jai wants to be undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up,” Francis insisted.
“He wants to be remembered as one of the greatest cruiserweights who ever lived.
“Guys like Evander Holyfield, David Haye and now Oleksandr Usyk, they are some really big names who started out in the cruiserweight division before moving up to also have massive impact as heavyweights.
“And Jai wants to do the same.
“This isn’t all about money and titles for him.
“It’s about legacy.
Jai Opetaia.Source: Getty Images
“And winning every belt in the cruiserweight division while staying undefeated, and then moving into heavyweight … that’s the start of how you’re spoken about for generations.”
Francis added that Opetaia could win all the cruiserweight belts in 2026, before then moving to heavyweight – and an immediate shot against someone like undefeated British prodigy Moses Itauma.
“Jai could absolutely go straight into that fight,” Francis said. “And it’s definitely one he would take.
“But first, he wants Ramirez.
“Doesn’t care where it is, or on what show, Jai Opetaia wants that fight.”
Speaking on The Punch Podcast this past week however, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn suggested there was a chance Opetaia may have to move to heavyweight before achieving his goal of cruiserweight domination.
Already this year, the Australian has made quick work of the previously unbeaten David Nyika and Claudio Squeo — stopping both before the sixth round.
Hearn agreed 40-year-old Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs) will likely get his shot after being reordered to negotiate terms earlier this fortnight.
“Unfortunately, Ramirez got injured and now Jai has to fight his mandatory,” Hearn said.
“That’s not ideal.
“But the other option is to move up to heavyweight … (and) I just feel like it would be a shame for him not to unify the division first.”
Pushed on how things play out, the Matchroom boss continued: “I think we’ll fight Cinkara around November, December time.
“If we don’t get a unification after that, then it might be time to step up to heavyweight.
“It might be a little earlier than anticipated, but you can’t just wait around forever.”