Danny Green’s ‘extreme threat’ warning for ‘terrifying’ Jai Opetaia as Aussie vows to put on an ‘absolute clinic’
GOLD COAST: A “terrifying” Jai Opetaia stared into Huseyin Cinkara’s eyes before vowing to put on “an absolute clinic” and end the 40-year-old Turkish-German’s unbeaten record.
Australian superstar Opetaia is a short-priced favourite to extend his own perfect record to 29-0 on Saturday night when he puts his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles on the line.
Cinkara – dubbed ‘The Hurricane’ – boasts a 23-0 record but good judges doubt his ability to handle the 30-year-old local hero.
‘Ring of Fire’: Opetaia vs Cinkara for the cruiserweight world titles on December 6 is available to order now on Stan Pay-Per-View
Jai Opetaia and Huseyin Cinkara. Stan
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre sold out a week ago for the ‘Ring of Fire’ fight night and even Friday’s weigh-in was packed with eager fight fans snaring photos and video of the chiselled pugilists.
“Just another day in the office. I’m pumped. I’m ready to put on an absolute clinic,” Opetaia said.
“So let’s do the fight, let’s rock and roll.”
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Jai Opetaia and Huseyin Cinkara. Stan
Cinkara, yet to fight outside of Europe, boldly claimed he was going to knock Opetaia “senseless” after landing on Australian soil.
But he has offered a more respectful tone since coming face to face with Opetaia.
“I’ve come here with a belief. I’m here to fight,” Cinkara said.
“I’m going to win. I’m coming for war. I’m ready for war.”
Former world champion Danny Green will offer expert comments on Stan Sport and said Opetaia should be confident but careful against the 19-1 outsider.
“It’s difficult because Cinkara doesn’t have the same profile and is not as known worldwide as what Jai Opetaia is, a superstar in Opetaia,” Green told Nine’s Today show.
“But that’s where the problem lies, because he is unknown. It’s difficult to work out what kind of puzzle he’s going to bring tomorrow night, and he has got nothing to lose. So he does pose an extreme threat because of the massive opportunities that lie ahead for Jai Opetaia if he is successful tomorrow night.”
Southpaw Opetaia is a genuine knockout artist, winning 22 of his 28 fights via KO.
“He’s terrifying. He is the best cruiserweight on the planet in my opinion,” Green said.
“I think also in a lot of people’s opinions, in the boxing world, he is the No.1 cruiserweight in the world. And he’s being avoided.
“The other guy over there, (Gilberto) Ramirez, from Mexico’s. just signed on to fight David Benavidez. And you know what, it may work out in Jai’s favor if Benavidez can beat Ramirez in a unification bout, then that sets up Jai Opetaia for a massive fight after that.
“Jai’s just got to be patient, he’s got to keep his eye on the prize tomorrow night. Cinkara is a big, strong, tough dude who’s the No.1 ranked (mandatory challenger), so he’s the next in line for Jai.
“Jai’s got to take care of business tomorrow night before he looks ahead.”
RING OF FIRE SCHEDULE
Saturday 6 December: Fight night
Location: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach
Time: Prelims from 3:30pm AEST (local)
Main card live & exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View from 5:30pm AEDT
- Jai Opetaia v Hüseyin Cinkara / IBF & Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Titles
- Max McIntyre v Jed Morris / WBC Australasian Super Middleweight Title
- Jake Wyllie v Paul Fleming / IBF Australiasian Super Lightweight Title
- Teremoana Teremoana v German Garcia Montes / International Heavyweight Boxing
- Ben Mahoney v Winston Hill / IBF Pan Pacific Super Welterweight Title
- Jason Moloney v Herlan Gomez / WBC Australasian Bantamweight Title
- Jack Gregory v Hayden Emmerson / IBF Youth Middleweight World Title
