Gilberto Ramirez has confirmed whether Jai Opetaia’s new promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, headed by UFC boss Dana White, has affected his interest in their potential showdown.
The unified cruiserweight champion comes off a unanimous decision victory over Yuniel Dorticos, which saw him successfully defend his WBO and WBA belts last June.
Prior to that, Ramirez claimed his second world title at 200lbs by dethroning Chris Billam-Smith, via another unanimous decision, in November 2024.
‘Zurdo’ is now set to face David Benavidez, the WBC light-heavyweight champion, later this year, while a possible unification clash with IBF champion Opetaia hangs in the balance.
Opetaia seized his world cruiserweight title in 2022, overcoming a broken jaw to dethrone Mairis Briedis, who he then outpointed for a second time around two years later.
Having almost entirely defended his IBF and Ring Magazine titles against a string of far less established opponents, though, the 30-year-old is yet to definitively cement himself as the top dog of his division.
Standing in his way of that status, of course, is Ramirez, yet many have suggested that Opetaia’s new deal with Zuffa Boxing – who he signed with after leaving Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing – could reduce the chances of their matchup materialising.
The new promotional outfit has, after all, taken a strong stance against the four sanctioning bodies, though Ramirez remains hopeful that he could still fight for the Ring Magazine belt.
In an interview with ESNEWS, the 34-year-old expressed his interest in the Ring Magazine title.
“[Opetaia] has the [Ring Magazine] belt. I want to fight him and I want to get the Ring Magazine belt.
“[Opetaia’s] young, strong, and he’s been in this division a long time. I think it would be a good match for me and him.”
