Teddy Atlas has expressed his opinion following the surprise announcement that IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia has signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing.
The inaugural venture backed by Dana White and Turki Alalshikh is set to launch later this year, with Irish super welterweight Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KO) headlining the 10-undefeated opening card against Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KO) at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Zuffa Boxing is already accelerating the implementation of further events in the first quarter of 2026including the February 14 heavyweight main event between Efe Ajagba and former world champion Charles Martin.
Securing Opetai’s signature represents a major coup. The Australian is widely considered one of the two best cruiserweights in the world – alongside WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez – and one of the most devastating fighters in his division, with 23 knockouts in 29 professional victories.
Atlas, one of boxing’s most respected analysts and longtime creator of The Fight podcast, responded to the X news by warning another sport.
“I think they will do the same thing they did with golf and other sports and buy out the stars one by one.”
Atlas was referring to LIV Golf, a men’s professional tour financed by Saudi Arabia with support from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which launched in 2022 as direct competition to the established PGA Tour. LIV’s arrival sparked significant controversy, particularly criticism from major champions including Rory McIlroy, before he changed the landscape of professional golf by signing many of the world’s top players.
It’s unclear what this model might look like in boxing. White has repeatedly said he has no interest in working with the sport’s four main sanctioning bodies, but Opetaia made his ambitions clear in a video announcing the deal.
“Contract signed now with Zuffa Boxing. Pumped for the future. Stimulating times. Let’s get these large fights on the line. Unification, soon undisputed. Let’s go.”
The message has only increased uncertainty about Zuffa’s long-term intentions, especially if Opetaia continues to seek unification under a division administered by conventional sanctioning bodies.
There is no doubt, however, that this is the signing of a declaration – supported by significant financial muscles – and this may be just the beginning.