Discussions are ongoing to finalize an ordered fight between IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia (22-0, 17 KOs) and mandatory challenger Richard Riakporhe (16-0, 12 KOs).

If the deal is reached, the fight would land in south-east Queensland.

According to Opetaia’s manager, Mick Francis, the fight is targeted for August 23, possibly at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, and he hopes a deal will get finalized by July 14.

“Jai is the champion, and he should have the opportunity to have his first defense in Australia,” Francis said to The Age.

“That’s the whole thing about winning the world title is you hustle, you hustle, you hustle and when you finally win, why should you keep hustling? Jai has been out of the ring for a year on Sunday, so he’s been out for quite a while, so the last thing that personally we need to do is take Jai to the UK in foreign territory with 20,000 screaming Poms wanting his blood. We’re trying to bring that fight here to Australia and it’s looking very positive.

“We’ve had talks with local council and state government, which are both motivated to bring a big fight to Queensland, especially on the back of what Jai did a year ago.”

Last year, Opetaia pulled off an upset when he secured a dominant decision win over Mairis Briedis to capture the IBF world title on the Gold Coast. Opetaia won the bout despite suffering a broken jaw during the bout.

The goal for Opetaia is to unify the entire weight class - a goal that Oleksandr Usyk managed to accomplish in 2018.

“Jai wants to unify all the titles and Chris Billam-Smith... has got the WBO belt, and that’s the belt Jai has always wanted to fight for," Francis said.

“I’ve been around sportspeople for a very long time but I can honestly say Jai Opetaia has got the biggest motor, he’s the hardest trainer and he’s got the best attitude I’ve ever seen in any athlete.”