STILL chasing title unifications, Jai Opetaia attempts yet another IBF cruiserweight world title defence, this time against unbeaten Italian Claudio Squeo, where he aims for yet another knockout win that gets the world talking.
Opetaia, 27-0 (21 KOs), overcame Mairis Briedis back in 2022 to claim the IBF crown, but would make just one defence against Jordan Thompson before being stripped of the belt, after opting to face Ellis Zorro on the fabled ’Day of Reckoning’ card in late 2023.
Five months later, Opetaia regained his title with a similar points win in a rematch against Briedis, before going on to defend the strap with stoppage triumphs against Jack Massey and David Nyika.
As a result, Opetaia is perceived as the top dog in the cruiserweight division by most fans around the globe, but the recent success of now unified WBO and WBA titleholder Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez has the boxing universe clamouring for a meeting between the 200lb duo.
One month after the original scheduled date, Opetaia will hope that he is unhampered by an injury that postponed this clash with Squeo, 17-0 (9 KOs), and that another impressive display will apply further pressure on Ramirez to face him.
Nicknamed ‘The Red Bull’, Puglia-born Squeo will need an energetic performance if he is to pull off an almighty upset, with the relentlessly front-footed champion sure to take no backwards steps and search for an early win inside the distance, meaning elusiveness and stamina is key for the challenger.
Now 34 years old, Squeo picked up the IBF European belt last April to enter the world rankings and when contenders were contacted for Opetaia’s voluntary defence, he was reportedly the only man to answer the call, as per Tasman Fighters’ Mick Francis.
“Nobody wants to share the ring with Jai Opetaia,” Francis said in a press release. “We contacted every team of each fighter in the IBF ratings, and they all declined. Squeo jumped at the opportunity. That tells you everything you need to know about him.”
Inspired by popular movie ‘Cinderella Man’ and the story of James J. Braddock, after being bullied as a child, a gutsy trip Down Under could result in a similar fairytale win for Squeo but the step up in opposition makes him a sizeable underdog in spite of his undefeated record.
JAI OPETAIA VS CLAUDIO SQUEO FIGHT PREDICTION
Opetaia has scored early knockout wins in title defences against Jordan Thompson and David Nyika, and also in his Saudi detour against Zorro.
A fearless fast-starter, Opetaia can claim an authoritative victory inside four rounds to throw down the gauntlet to ‘Zurdo’, with Squeo overmatched and overpowered from the get-go on Sunday.
