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New kid on the block Zuffa Boxing has signed one of the best fighters in the sport, surprising many by announcing a co-promotional deal with lineal/IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on Friday.
Terms were not disclosed but Opetaia is the first significant fighter signed by Zuffa Boxing, which kicks off its multi-year rights deal with Paramount+ on Jan. 23.
“It’s exciting times and I’m pumped for the future,” Opetaia said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get these big fights made, to fight in the USA and put on a show for the fight fans. This is where I want to be, and I’m ready to prove myself on the biggest stage.”
In a video of Opetaia that Zuffa Boxing, which is being funded by Saudi Arabia’s Sela and Turki Alalshikh — who likes Opetaia and has had him fight on his Riyadh Season cards — posted on social media, Opetaia expressed his ongoing desire to unify titles and to become undisputed champion. He was bitterly disappointed when unified titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez opted for a May 2 fight with light heavyweight titleholder David Benavidez, a much better known fighter in the United States than Opetaia.
But how Opetaia’s pursuit of unification bouts going forward will work is quite unclear because Zuffa Boxing’s Dana White has said repeatedly he will not work with the sanctioning bodies. Last week in an interview with Stephen A. Smith, White said, “I’m going to get rid of the sanctioning organizations.”