Zuffa Boxing made a statement signing as they revealed the acquisition of IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, but the announcement has raised questions from two-division conqueror Paulie Malignaggi.
Dana White’s new promotional firm have targeted a takeover of boxing, bidding to make their belt the optimal prize in the sport and thus lessen the importance of the more traditional boxing belts and organisations.
The signing of Australia’s Opetaia is one of obvious intent, proof of funds, ambition and pull, but fans are left pondering whether the move will see Opetaia vacate his IBF world title or render him unable to fight contenders or champions outside of the Zuffa Boxing branch.
On the BoxingScene YouTube channel, Malignaggi shared his concerns over the signing, requesting further information regarding Zuffa Boxing’s immediate plans for the undefeated southpaw.
“What do you got? What do you have? You have a cruiserweight division that [isn’t competitive], are you going to be able to make any matchups for him? What do you actually have though?”
However, Malignaggi then went on to reveal that he does not believe the chances of seeing a cruiserweight unification title clash between Opetaia and the victor of Gilberto Ramirez vs. David Benavidez have been impacted.
“I think that was a difficult fight to make anyway because Zurdo [Ramirez] and Benavidez are former super-middleweights at cruiserweight, Opetaia is a cruiserweight/heavyweight.
“So, I think that was going to be a difficult one to make regardless, with the winner of Zurdo and Benavidez, I’m not sure the winner of Zurdo-Benavidez was going to fight Opetaia anyway.”
Ramirez and Benavidez are expected to fight on Saturday, May 2, in Las Vegas.
As for Opetaia, manager Mick Francis has told Boxing King Media that unifications are still on the table despite White previously stating he has no intentions of working with the four major sanctioning bodies.
