Australian cruiserweight wrecking machine Jay Opetaia is hoping to find support from the country’s sports establishment when he returns for his first title defense on home soil.
Opetaia has emerged as one of the biggest names in boxing’s 200-pound division, winning world titles and defeating challengers over the past two years.
The devastating southpaw has gained international acclaim for his skill and power, but despite being now considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the country He does not receive the same level of attention from some of his fellow countrymen.
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Opetaia is hoping to change that when he defends his IBF cruiserweight title against undefeated Hussein Sinkara on January 8 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center.
The 29-year-old overcame a severely fractured jaw to score an upset victory over world champion Mairis Briedis at the same venue in 2022, in what many consider one of the toughest fights in Australian sport. I played a battle that I thought was one.
“We’ve been pushing for home games for quite some time, so it’s good to have this opportunity. We’re also back at the convention center and it feels like this is the beginning of international play,” Opetaia said. said. sports news.
“I feel like a completely different person both in and out of the ring.
“I hope this is the start of something and with Australia getting behind it and the media getting behind it, we can do these things more regularly.
“Bringing a world title fight to our country is about hosting a big stage like this and opening the door for other Australians and Pacific Islanders to fight.
“It’s an honor to reach my level and compete on these cards and in the main event.
“Australia needs to work together. The promoters, all the press, everything needs to work together. We have multiple fighters here in Australia. If we all do this right, we can compete with the world. Masu.
“I’ve been there and seen all of them, and they’re not better than us. We’re up there with the best fighters in the world. When we come home, I think, “We can all be there.”
After more than a year’s break since winning the IBF for the first time, ring Opetaia won the title, defeating Britons Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro in back-to-back matches, and again defeated Briedis by unanimous decision in a rematch in May.
The Gold Coast resident most recently competed last month, this time pummeling fellow Briton Jack Massey midway through the sixth round.
Sinkara, 39, boasts an impressive record of 22 wins, 0 losses, and 18 KOs.
Despite his opponent’s age and lack of experience at world level, Opetaia promised his fans that he would once again give his best.
“I know what that hunger is, and I know that feeling of, ‘This is my opportunity,'” he said.
“That’s why everyone I fight, I do the right thing, always perform, and I take it very seriously.
“He’s never fought someone like me. All of my opponents, I watch their fights, and they’ve never fought someone like me, so I don’t know what they’re going to do.” It’s hard to predict how it will come out or what it’s going to do.
“And I think they’re thinking the same way. They’re thinking, ‘Jay’s different, so what are we going to do with him?’
“Let’s see what he does and I’ll adapt in the ring.
“I’m going to train hard and be ready for whatever he brings, adapt and find my range in the ring.”
If Opetaia survives the fight against Sincala, he is scheduled to fight Mexican fighter Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Ramirez defeated Chris Billam-Smith last week to add the WBO title to the WBA title he already held.
