Boxing
Zuffa Boxing signs Jai Opetaia in major cruiserweight move
Published
4 months agoon
Zuffa Boxing gained its first truly significant name by securing a contract with Ring and IBF cruiserweight lineal champion Jai Opetaia, which immediately changes the ceiling of the company’s boxing ambitions.
Both sides confirmed the signing on Friday, although no debut date or opponent has been announced. Dana White publicly welcomed Opetaia to the promotion, marking the first time Zuffa has added an lively champion with real upside in the division rather than a name built for exhibition fights.
Opetaia enters the deal on a dominant streak. The 30-year-old southpaw went 3-for-3 in 2025, stopping undefeated opponents in every game. His last outing ended with a brutal knockout of IBF mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkar on December 6 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. That fight was postponed for almost a year after Cinkara suffered an ankle injury in camp, forcing Opetaia to face David Nyika in January. Nyika lasted four rounds.
Between these fights, Opetaia defeated undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo in five. The fight reflected growing frustration that had already become public. Opetaia has made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction with the division, which has repeatedly failed to bring other titleholders into the ring.
This unresolved issue is an obvious point of tension in this deal. Opetaia has been a vocal supporter of unifying the cruiserweight division. However, Zuffa Boxing has made its position clear. It does not intend to cooperate with the authorities imposing sanctions. This philosophy has already shaped its early cards and leaves open the question of whether Opetai’s championship goals and Zuffa’s business model can fully coexist.
Zuffa’s first three events will stream on Paramount Plus from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Callum Walsh will headline the first match against Carlos Ocampo on January 23. The program scheduled for February 1 remains without a confirmed main event. The third gala, which will take place on February 14, will feature heavyweight fighters Efe Ajagba and Charles Martin. None of the fighters involved are affiliated with a sanctioning body.
Opetaia currently holds the IBF belt in his second reign and has been the lineal champion and ring champion since passing Mairis Briedis in July 2022. He was stripped of the belt in his first IBF appearance for accepting an unranked defense in overdue 2023. Since regaining the title in May 2024, he has added four defenses, all by knockout.
His divisional rivals remain noticeable but distant. In May, the unified WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez will face David Benavidez. WBC titleholder Noel Mikaeljan remains inactive. Opetaia has kept their names in circulation, even though the dates keep changing.
Zuffa added credibility by signing him. The unresolved question is whether he can get him the fights he truly wants.
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Last update: 16/01/2026
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Boxing
Canelo Alvarez responds to Jake Paul’s $200 million fight offer
Published
1 minute agoon
May 16, 2026
Jake Paul’s claim that he found $200 million specifically for a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez sparked a direct response from the Mexican champion.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was scheduled to collide with Canelo in May 2025, but Turki Alalshikh stepped in and signed the then super middleweight king to a multi-fight contract.
It made Alvarez a two-time undisputed champion against William Scull before losing his four major titles in a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford last September.
However, since Crawford announced his retirement and vacated the belts, Canelo is scheduled to fight for the world title in September this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
The most likely opponent seems to be WBC champion Christian Mbilli, who is coming off a fascinating draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford card.
However, despite this plan, Paul appears to be trying to get back into his game with the 35-year-old, insisting that a $200 million purse remains up for grabs.
The 29-year-old revealed the news on a live broadcast earlier this week, suggesting it is the “biggest fight” in boxing.
“Canelo, I have $200 million for you. Uncomplicated money. Jake Paul vs. Canelo – let’s finish it. This is what the fans have been waiting for; this is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. I think this will be the next fight.
Jake Paul just said Canelo Alvarez will be his next fight and he will pay him $200 million 🤯
“This is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. Jake Paul vs. Canelo. Official.” pic.twitter.com/QJRLuPjO9r
— Cheerful Punch (@HappyPunch) May 13, 2026
In response, Canelo simply posted three laughing emojis on his Instagram story, signaling that Paul’s offer was not to be taken seriously.
After all, there is A a chance the American may never box again, given the injuries he sustained to his jaw after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua in December.
Boxing
Jake Paul claims he would have made Canelo $300 million
Published
2 hours agoon
May 16, 2026
Jake Paul responded to Canelo Alvarez after the undisputed super middleweight champion previously reacted to talk of a potential fight between the two with laughing emojis on social media.
While greeting fans and media during a public appearance this week, Jake was asked what financial terms he believed would be needed to make the fight happen.
“Yes, 200 [million] for him 300[millionformeWe’llfinalizethedealEasywork”-PaulsaidintheinterviewwithFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo[milionówdlamnieSfinalizujemytransakcjęŁatwapraca”–powiedziałPaulwrozmowiezFightHubTVzapytanyomożliwąumowęzCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo
The comment immediately drew attention due to the huge figure associated with the fight. Jake has continued to call for a fight with Canelo over the past year, despite criticism from many boxing fans and fighters who viewed the fight as unrealistic.
Jake was then asked about Canelo and responded with laughing emojis when the topic of a fight between the two came up online.
“I don’t know what that means, but he won’t laugh when I kick his ass,” Paul said.
The rivalry between the two continues to escalate publicly through interviews and exchanges on social media, even though no official negotiations have been announced.
Jake has mentioned Canelo multiple times in interviews over the past year, keeping the possibility of a future fight circulating despite widespread skepticism in boxing circles.
Canelo is currently scheduled to face Christian Mbilli later this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, while Jake continues to rehabilitate from injuries suffered in his December 2025 fight against Anthony Joshua.

Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
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Last updated: 16/05/2026 at 7:21
Boxing
Audley Harrison candid verdict on Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua: ‘He only has one way to win’
Published
4 hours agoon
May 16, 2026
Audley Harrison wondered how fellow Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua would fare against Tyson Fury later this year.
Both agreed to clash in the long-awaited heavyweight showdown, but only if “AJ” successfully completes his next fight against Kristian Prenga.
He hasn’t fought since knocking out Jake Paul in the sixth round in DecemberJoshua is now preparing for his clash with Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
This is his first assignment since he lost two of his closest friends in a car accident in Nigeria, where he was also involved in the tragic incident.
Naturally, he spent the next few months recovering from his injuries, although Joshua now appears to be getting closer to a showdown with Fury.
Meanwhile, “The Gypsy King” has already finished his pre-fight, ending a 16-month break with Arslanbek Makhmudov, whom he outpointed by unanimous decision last month.
Shortly after the triumphant victory, Fury called out Joshua, who was sitting at ringside, refusing to take part in the fight.
But at the same time, Harrison did he told Sky Sports that he saw a fire in the 36-year-old’s eyes, dazzling enough to suggest he was ready for the task ahead.
“From a boxing point of view, it’s a sexy fight because style makes fight.
“[Joshua] he can’t win the fight by trying to box Fury – he has to go in there, break him down and try to eliminate him. This is the only way he can win this fight.
“You’re fighting a champion boxer who knows how to slip [and] slide. after [Makhmudov] fight…he [Joshua] he looked at Fury [with intent].
“When they get into that fight, he’s going to take the fire – everything he went through after his friends died.”
Despite getting back into the win column after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, Fury clearly wants to enter his second warm-up fight.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but he certainly wouldn’t be willing to risk a potential clash with Joshua.
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