Aussie fighter Jai Opetaia’s world title defence in doubt after ‘disaster’ struck his German opponent
- Would take on Huseyin Cinkara on the Gold Coast
- Now face a crazy battle to find a new opponent
- The manager was on the phone until the early hours
The manager of Australian cruiserweight boxing sensation Jai Opetaia is urgently looking for a new opponent for his IBF world title defense.
In a dramatic prelude to the January 8 showdown on the Gold Coast, IBF No. 1 Huseyin Cinkara has broken his ankle and will be unable to fight Opetaia.
Russia’s Umar Salamov, New Zealand’s David Nyika, Brandon Glanton (USA), Robin Safar (Sweden) and Albanian Juergen Uldedaj were all options Opetaia’s manager Michael Francis was in discussions with on Saturday.
“I am in the process of working with the IBF and going through the top 15 to find Jai as an opponent,” Francis told AAP.
‘It’s been three and a half weeks and we need a new opponent because last night I got a missed call from Cinkara’s manager.
‘He sent me a message to call him urgently because he said, ‘A disaster has occurred.’ Immediately my heart sank.
Australian cruiserweight boxing champion Jai Opetaia is looking for a new opponent to defend his world title
German star Huseyin Cinkara (left) has broken his ankle and has been ruled out of the fight
‘I called him back and he said Cinkara had broken his ankle and will be out for three months before he can train again. He even sent me the doctor’s note.’
Francis was on the phone until 3 a.m. Saturday with the managers of the 15 best cruiserweights in the world.
“The IBF rules say you have to work from the top,” Francis said.
‘There are boxers for whom we cannot get a visa in time, so we are frantically trying to find an opponent. I’m confident we’ll have one. The event will still go ahead because there are five guys in the top fifteen who have raised their hands and want this opportunity.”
Francis must now work with the IBF to determine who that will be.
Opetaia will also defend his Ring Magazine world title when he fights his yet-to-be-determined opponent.
The 29-year-old is undefeated in 26 fights, 20 of which were won by knockouts.
Francis said Opetaia was in camp on the Gold Coast ahead of his world title defense and started sparring on Saturday.
“I told Jai about his opponent’s unfortunate injury and he took it in stride. He will prepare the same way no matter what,” he said.