Who is Jai Opetaia? Fight record, stats, next bout and more

Australian Jai Opetaia returns to action this weekend, headlining a card in his homeland with the defence of his IBF cruiserweight crown against unbeaten challenger Claudio Squeo, 17-0 (9). 

A feared name at the 200lbs mark, there is a lot of speculation that Opetaia will soon look to unify in the division, with WBO and WBA champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez squarely in his sights.  

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Who is Jai Opetaia? 

Jai Opetaia is an Australian boxer who currently fights at cruiserweight, having dabbled at heavyweights in the early years of his pro career. 

In the unpaid ranks Opetaia operated at heavyweight, going on to represent his country at the 2012 Olympic games. A bronze medallist at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in 2012, Opetaia transitioned from amateur to professional status in 2014, at 19 years of age. 

Born in Wyong, New South Wales, Australia, in 1995, Opetaia turns 30 at the end of June. Over the years Opetaia has picked up many belts, including the Australian National Boxing Federation (ANBF) New South Wales heavyweight title, the Australian cruiserweight title, the IBF youth cruiserweight strap, and the WBO Asia-Pacific cruiserweight title. 

In 2022 he defeated Latvian Mairis Briedis to take the IBF and Ring titles at cruiserweight, making Opetaia a world champion for the first time. 

The 29-year-old has subsequently defended his title five times, including a rematch with Briedis in 2024. 

• Nationality: Australian 
• Age: 29 
• Height: 6' 2" 
• Reach: 76" 

What is Jai Opetaia’s record? 

In 27 professional fights, Opetaia remains undefeated, with 27 wins. The Aussie has won 21 contests early, including knockouts against Jack Massey and Ellis Zorro. 

His first defence of his IBF cruiserweight title saw Opetaia fight outside of Australia for the first time, travelling to London, England to defeat challenger Jordan Thompson in 2023. 

After a three-fight stint in Saudi Arabia, Opetaia has fought in his home country, and will do so again this weekend. 

• Total fights: 27 
• Wins: 27 
• Losses: 0 
• Knockouts: 21 

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When is Jai Opetaia’s next fight? 

Jai Opetaia’s next fight is this weekend, on Sunday, June 8, when he faces Italian Claudio Sqeuo. 

The fight will be shown live on DAZN, with Opetaia’s sixth world-title defence the headlining act of the card. 

Originally scheduled for May, the fight was postponed by three weeks after Opetaia sustained an injury in training. 

It will be Opetaia’s second fight in Australia since he won his world title, with the card being staged at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach in Queensland. 

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