JAI Opetaia reinforced his interest in a unification showdown with Gilberto Ramirez, shortly after retaining his IBF and Ring Magazine titles in dominant fashion.
The world cruiserweight champion’s victory arrived against Claudio Squeo, with the pair headlining a Tasman Fighters show at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia, earlier today.
Eyes widened after Squeo – a relatively unknown entity, as it was – hit the scales at just over 191lbs when the pair weighed in yesterday.
It is typical of the Italian to come in well below the 200lb limit but, even so, the notable size difference only contributed to further speculation that he would not survive the 12-round distance.
In any case, a measured start saw Opetaia, 28-0 (22 KOs), pump out his left hand with relative ease, while Squeo, on the other hand, did little to evade the prolific shot.
Once again, the challenger merely marched forward with a lack of precision in the second round, allowing his more dynamic opponent to pick him apart at long-range.
The following frame then delivered a far more spiteful display, with Opetaia seamlessly bringing his feet in and out of range while dishing out a punishing onslaught.
Squeo, to his credit, did just enough to trudge his way into the fourth round, only for a stabbing body shot to see him drop to the canvas.
Referee Robert Hoyle, however, ruled the incident a no-knockdown after Opetaia was penalised for holding the back of his opponent’s head in the process.
Yet still, it was not long before the formidable puncher broke his man down and, at the beginning of the fifth round, halted proceedings with a looping right look.
Hoyle issued a count, but Squeo ultimately had no desire to continue, allowing his world title challenge to come to pass in devastating fashion.
“I was just in a rush – I really wanted to get him out of there,” Opetaia admitted in his post-fight interview. “I’m chasing those unification fights – I’m chasing those world champions – and that’s where I’m focused.
“Next fight: Zurdo Ramirez. He’s mentioned me; he’s told me he’ll fight me next after [his WBA and WBO world title defence against Yuniel Dorticos on June 28], so let’s get it on.
“The fight is easy to be made – we are ready. Whenever you call, we are ready.”
Shortly after, the Australian’s manager, Mick Francis, added that the unification clash could take place on a Riyadh Season card in October.
