Jai Opetaia is set to make his Zuffa Boxing debut in less than four weeks’ time, but the IBF cruiserweight world champion does not know whether his title will be on the line.
Opetaia continues to campaign for cruiserweight title unifications after frustration at being unable to secure a showdown with unified WBA and WBO titleholder, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez.
However, to the confusion of many fans, the Aussie southpaw has recently opted to sign with Dana White’s new outfit, Zuffa Boxing – an organisation that does not recognise any of the four traditional major world titles and instead has their own belts.
Still, Opetaia remains as IBF world champion, but when his first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, against Brandon Glanton, was announced yesterday, there was no mention of the IBF title on the official fight poster.
In an interview with Sporting News Australia, Opetaia has now admitted that he is ‘not sure’ whether his IBF world title will be up for grabs against Glanton – who is ranked number 15 – but stated that he will defend it in the fight that follows if not against the Atlanta-born challenger.
“There is a lot of things that are happening behind the scenes and I am a proud fighter that won the IBF fair and square, and I am happy to hold that belt.
“Whether we defend it [against Glanton] or not, I am not sure, but I will be defending it. Whether it’s in this one or the next one.
“It is my mission to become undisputed, so I don’t become undisputed without the IBF as well.
“[There is no danger of me being stripped] that I know of. I don’t think there is any danger.”
Journalist Dan Rafael has said confidently that the IBF belt will be on the line, but fans await confirmation from the sanctioning body.
Opetaia-Glanton will be the headline attraction of ‘Zuffa Boxing 04’ on Sunday, March 8, in Las Vegas, with both the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title and the Ring Magazine title at stake.
