Jai Opetaia now has a confirmed date for what will mark his third fight of the year.
The reigning lineal and IBF 200lbs champion is set to defend his crown against mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara. Tasman Fighters – Opetaia’s promoter – confirmed that their bout will headline a December 6 show from Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia.
The King is back on the Gold Coast! @jaiopetaia1 defends his @ringmagazine and IBF titles against mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on December 6. pic.twitter.com/PZNqi65r4n
BoxingScene previously reported the development of the latest fight date. Full undercard details are forthcoming, though heavyweights Justis Huni and Teremoana Jnr will see action in separate bouts.
The bout comes nearly a year after Opetaia and Cinkara were scheduled to meet at the very same venue. Cinkara was forced to withdraw from their January 8 date due to a training camp injury that left him shelved for another four months. He was replaced by David Nyika, whom Opetaia, 28-0 (22 KOs), knocked out in the fourth round.
Opetaia added a fifth-round stoppage of unbeaten Claudio Squeo in his most recent start on June 8, also at Gold Coast Convention Centre.
The forthcoming clash with Cinkara, 23-0 (17 KOs), will mark the third straight fight at Opetaia’s hometown venue and fourth overall. A 30-year-old southpaw originally from Sydney, Opetaia began his championship reign with a July 2022 unanimous decision win over Mairis Briedis at this site.
Opetaia, a 2012 Olympian, earned a repeat unanimous decision victory over Latvia’s Briedis last May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Middle East destination housed three straight title defenses for Opetaia. His lone title fight to not take place in Australia or Riyadh came in a September 2023 knockout win over Jordan Thompson at OVO Arena Wembley in London.
Cinkara represents the fifth unbeaten challenger whom Opetaia will face over his lengthy reign.
A 40-year-old Germany-born, Turkey-based contender, Cinkara will attempt his first shot at a world title. He became the IBF mandatory after a second-round knockout of Armend Xhoxhaj in their title eliminator last April 24 in Nurnberg, Germany.
Cinkara’s lone ring appearance since then came in a first-round knockout win over Juan Diaz on April 26 in Sindelfingen, Germany.
Prior to the IBF reordered mandatory, Opetaia openly sought a unification bout with WBA/WBO titlist Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, 46-1 (30 KOs). He immediately agreed to terms as presented to him for a targeted clash on Alalshikh’s November 22 Riyadh Season show.
Those plans were scrapped, however, when Ramirez underwent surgery to repair a lingering shoulder injury.
Efforts were also made to secure a showdown with former WBO cruiserweight titlist Chris Billam-Smith. However, it was agreed that the more sensible move for Opetaia was to get the mandatory out of the way and then – assuming he beats Cinkara – enter 2026 with a renewed pursuit of his current wish list.
“Clearing the path,” Opetaia vowed on his social media account. “I want ALL the belts.”
