ONE of the most exciting and old-school champions in the sport, two-time and reigning IBF cruiserweight title holder Jai Opetaia, 27-0 (21 KOs), is set to return for a second outing of the year on home soil, as he attempts a third defence of his crown in seven months.
Opetaia will be tasked with undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo, 17-0 (9 KOs), but that is not the only bout of the show that could impact boxing at the world level, as number two rated IBF light-heavyweight contender, Conor Wallace, 15-1 (11 KOs), appears in the co-main event.
The IBF and their belts will be a continuous theme throughout the action of the main card of the Tuesday night event. Unbeaten Australian featherweight champion Tyler Blizzard, 9-0 (4 KOs), collides with Rocky Ogden, 7-2 (5 KOs), in a bid for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific featherweight title.
Up at 154lbs, Ben Mahoney, 15-0-1 (8 KOs), faces Filipino southpaw Joepher Montano, 19-5-2 (17 KOs), in a clash for the IBF Inter-Continental super-welterweight title, as Montano seeks to pull off the upset and score what would be a sixth consecutive win inside of the distance.
Then comes Northern Ireland-born but Australia-based light-heavyweight Wallace, who is hopeful of landing a match-up with Germany’s Michael Eifert. That would be for the full IBF world title later this year, presuming undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol vacates the marble in order to stage a showdown with David Benavidez or a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev.
Here, Wallace puts his rating at risk as he fights tough Frenchman Dylan Colin, 14-1 (4 KOs), who currently holds the French light-heavyweight title but is best known for losing a unanimous decision to Ukraine’s Daniel Lapin on the Usyk-Fury II card back in December.
Wallace is refusing to look beyond Colin but remained focused on ‘staying on track’ for a world title shot.
“Dylan Colin is a formidable opponent, and I am not looking past him. Every fight is crucial as I edge closer to a world title shot.
“My focus is entirely on May 13 and delivering a performance that keeps me on track.”
Meanwhile, Tasman Fighters promoter Mick Francis revealed his lofty expectations of Wallace, ahead of what will surely be a pivotal year for the Newry-born lefty.
“Conor Wallace is one of the most exciting fighters in Australia right now. I have no doubt that he will be a world champion inside of the next 12 months,” said Francis.
The full Opetaia-Squeo bill takes place in at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach in just over six weeks’ time and will be available to watch live on DAZN.
