Jai Opetaia defended his IBF cruiserweight title for the fourth time in Broadbeach, Australia, defeating Huseyin Cinkara in the eighth round of a thrilling fight on Saturday.
Opetaia (29-0, 23 KO) was last dropped in June at the same facility, defeating Claudio Squeo in five rounds, while his mandatory challenger Cinkara (23-1, 19 KO) returned in April after a year-long break to stop Juan Diaz in a round.
The champion started well, his footwork and speed were on display in the first set, but under hefty fire from Cinkar at the end of the second he landed a counter-right hand that shocked Opetaia and certainly caught his attention.
The home favorite recovered and the third saw him on the attack again, with his footwork causing Cinkara more and more problems in the fourth.
The 30-year-old southpaw was at fault trying to push to the finish line and paid the price, getting caught out more than once in round five, only to revert to a measured approach in the next two rounds, breaking the guy down and giving the German a chance to learn his lesson.
This conclusion was reached very quickly in the eighth gesture, when Opetaia uncorked his left hand, which on impact flattened the 40-year-old, who lay on his stomach for several minutes after waving his hand to end the fight.
Opetaia has called for a unification with unified WBO and WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who will likely face David Benavidez in May.
The fighter from Sydney may be in line to unify with WBC champion Badou Jack, who will defend his title on December 13 in a fight against Norair Mikaeljan.
Opetaia destroyed Cinkara. Photo: Tasman Fighters
Wyllie-Fleming draw
Jake Wyllie and Paul Fleming couldn’t be separated after 10 rounds of their super lightweight fight as they fought to a split decision draw.
Wyllie (18-1-2, 16 KO) received a verdict of 100-90 from one of the judges, and Fleming (28-2-1, 18 KO) won 97-93 in the second card. The third judge ruled the fight a 95-95 draw.
Undercard remaining
The IBF Youth super middleweight title remained vacant, with Jack Gregory (7-1-1, 2 KO) and Hayden Emmerson (9-4-1, 6 KO) fighting to a majority draw.
Ben Mahoney (16-0-1, 9 KO) defended his IBF Pan Pacific super welterweight title for the first time, defeating Winston Hill in the sixth round of their meeting.
Hill (7-1, 6 KO) went down three times before being stopped with a body shot in the sixth round.
Teremoana remained undefeated. Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing
In eight rounds, former world champion Jason Moloney (28-4, 20 KO) started his comeback fight with a fourth-round stoppage of Herlan Gomez (14-3, 10 KO), while undefeated super middleweight Max McIntyre (9-0, 8 KO) defeated Jed Morris (8-3, 7 KO) in the same round.
Taylah Gentzen (8-1, 3 KO) defeated Jessica Adams (3-3-1, 3 KO) on points in a lightweight fight.
Heavyweight prospect Termoana Teremoana (9-0, 9 KO) performed brilliantly to defeat German Garcia Montesa (9-7, 9 KO) in the second round, and Austin Aokuso (10-0, 4 KO) defeated Emmanuel Danso (36-11, 30 KO) in the second round of a four-round featherlight heavyweight bout.
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Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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