Connect with us

UK Boxing

Jai Opetaia dissatisfied with the fight between Zurdo Ramirez and David Benavidez

Published

on

Opetaia defends the IBF and Ring Magazine belts on December 6 against Cinkara. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Jai Opetaia vented his frustration after cruiserweight rival Gilberto Ramirez seemingly chose a different path.

Opetaia, the IBF champion, seeks unification with WBA and WBO champion Ramirez or a WBC holder, Badou Jack.

However, the chances of a fight with Ramirez appear to have dropped significantly after WBC delicate heavyweight champion David Benavidez announced he would move up in weight to challenge the Mexican on May 2 in Las Vegas, following Saturday’s victory over Anthony Yard.

Opetaia, who will defend his title against mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on December 6 in his native Australia, admits he was frustrated by the announcement.

“I have been waiting for unification fights for years,” said the undefeated 30-year-old.

Opetaia defends the IBF and Ring Magazine belts on December 6 against Cinkara. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“I’m tired of excuses.

“None of the other champions are in a hurry to come after me – and we all know why.”

Jack will defend his WBC title in a rematch with Norair Mikaeljan on December 13 in Los Angeles.

Ramirez, 34, defended his belts with a unanimous decision win over Yuniel Dorticos in June, and Opetai promoter Mick Francis claims “Zurdo” demanded $8 million to face his allegations.

Benavidez announced that he will fight Ramirez on May 2. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Benavidez announced that he will fight Ramirez on May 2. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

“Let’s be truthful: all roads in Cruiserweight lead through Jai Opetaia,” Francis said.

“This Ramirez vs. Benavidez fight is nothing more than a competition to see who is the SECOND best cruiserweight in the world.

“The Zurdo camp had the nerve to demand $8 million to fight Jai.

“They might as well have said, ‘No chance, we don’t want that smoke.’ That would be more fair.

“Jai doesn’t chase money, he chases greatness. He wants these guys to grow balls and advance.”

Ramirez underwent shoulder surgery following the win over Dorticos and is scheduled to return on January 16 against Robin Safar before taking on Benavidez, according to Ring Magazine.

Before the fight with Dorticos, “Zurdo” claimed that he would face Opetaia next.

Zurdo Ramirez holds the WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles Photo: Chris Dean/BOXXER
Zurdo Ramirez holds the WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles Photo: Chris Dean/BOXXER

“Jai Opetaia said I didn’t want to fight him,” he added he told the media in May.

“But it’s not like he says.

“I had a duty, that’s why I’m going to fight this fight and that’s it.

“I’ll take care of him after this fight.”

The post Jai Opetaia dissatisfied with Zurdo Ramirez’s fight against David Benavidez appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

UK Boxing

Jarred Anderson and Solomon Dacres’ fight was canceled due to injuries

Published

on

Bakole turned out to be much too big for Anderson (photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)

Jarred Anderson’s return to the ring against Solomon Dacres was canceled just days later.

Dacres and Anderson were scheduled to face on May 9 in Fabio Wardley’s first world title defense against Daniel Dubois.

It looks like “Massive Baby” will continue to gain momentum after suffering his first career loss in 2024.

After a great start to his professional career and 17 impressive victories, Anderson took a gigantic risk in his fight against Martin Bakole in Los Angeles.

Bakole turned out to be much too gigantic for Anderson (photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)

This acceleration did not go as planned, as Bakole stopped the American in the fifth round.

The American was forced to withdraw from competition for several weeks after suffering an injury during camp.

Anderson reportedly suffered a torn biceps, and the news was first broken by reporter Chris Mannix during the broadcast of Jarrell Miller’s win over Lenier Pero in Las Vegas.

Jarrell Miller scored a big win in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Matchroom Boxing/Zachariah Delgado
Jarrell Miller scored a gigantic win in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Matchroom Boxing/Zachariah Delgado

Anderson, 26, recently signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, strengthening his existing relationship with Top Rank that he has been pursuing since his professional debut in 2019.

He last fought in a 10-round victory over Marios Kollias in February 2025, more than 14 months ago.

For now, no further information has been provided regarding a possible postponement of the fight.

Anderson bounced back from defeat last time out. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Anderson bounced back from defeat last time out. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

For Dacres, it would be his first fight since his impressive decision victory over Vladyslav Sirenko.

Both Dacres and Anderson have only one loss to their name, and the fight between them will prove to be a great indicator of where each is at in their careers.

Dacres’ only loss came in the first round to David Adeleye in 2024, and he has only had one fight since that defeat.

Solomon Dacres defeated the tough Kamil Sokołowski. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Solomon Dacres defeated the tough Kamil Sokołowski. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Although the Anderson-Dacres fight has been canceled, the Manchester event will still go ahead as planned, with Fabio Wardley defending his WBO heavyweight title for the first time after winning the title with a stoppage victory over Joseph Parker.

Wardley remains undefeated and his opponent is Daniel Dubois, who has a 95% knockout rate.

Dubois is heading straight for another shot at the world title after being stopped by Oleksandr Usyk last July.

Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Dubois on May 9. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Wardley will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Dubois on May 9. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Wardley vs. Dubois it should be an epic fight, and the pair showed off their incredible knockout ability throughout their careers. The Ipswich fighter has wins over Justis Huni, Frazer Clarke and Joseph Parker, while Daniel Dubois has stopped Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, so a stoppage seems the most likely outcome for the main event.

The post Jarred Anderson vs. Solomon Dacres Canceled After Injury appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

Dillian Whyte interested in rematch with Joseph Parker

Published

on

Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.

In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.

Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.

‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.

“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.

Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.

“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.

“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.

“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.

“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.

“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”

Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.

Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.

Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters
Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters

“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.

“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.

“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.

“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”

The post Dillian Whyte Eyes Joseph Parker Rematch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

“I was nervous” – Tony Yoka reacts to Lawrence Okolie’s failed test

Published

on

Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.

On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.

But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.

Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.

Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.

“Of course I was ready.

“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.

Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry
Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry

“It was a great opportunity.

“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.

“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”

The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.

Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.

“I underwent treatment and now we are here.

“I hope common sense will prevail.

“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.

“I will not be making any further comments at this time.

“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”

The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending