Jai Opetaia handed major warning shot by cruiserweight rival after frustrating year

Jai Opetaia is "probably the best" cruiserweight currently active, but rival Ryan Rozicki has warned the Australian not to "believe your own hype".

The IBF champion completed a clean sweep of title defences this month with an eighth-round stoppage victory over Germany's Huseyin Cinkara.

It ensures an unbeaten year across three fights for the star, but also caps a frustrating time in which Opetaia has failed to secure unification bouts.

Now Rozicki, who challenged for the WBC interim title last year, has fired a warning over inferior foes and believes he could challenge his place.

"From what I've seen, I think he's probably the best in the division," he told The Ring. "[But] if that fight happens to come my way, 100%, I'll take it.

"He has not fought anyone near me. I've seen some of his fights and he's fighting [a] lower [level of] opposition. [Cinkara] didn't look world class.

"He got hit and wobbled in the second round. I believe if that was my right hand that hit him, he would not have [taken it], would not have got up.

"Don't believe your own hype, Be very careful what these guys [around you] say. You may think you're the boogeyman but you're probably not."

Opetaia offered challenge but titles remain elusive

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Few fighters would walk away from a 3-0 year disappointed, but there's little hiding the fact the stars have not aligned for Jai Opetaia during 2025.

His calibre of foe has been below where the star surely would want them to be, and his chances for unification bouts have been repeatedly foiled.

The star's contract with Tasman Fighters seems unlikely to bring his title rivals to the party, while Chris Billam-Smith has also failed to materialise.

In Ryan Rozicki, Opetaia may well have the promise of a star who can given him a tough workout in the ring - but once again, there's no straps.

It has been said before, and it will be said again, but the Australian needs clarity on his cruiserweight future heading into a now-pivotal 2026 term.

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