“They get the world title, and once they get the world title, it’s like their bargaining chip,” Opetaia said. “They’re like, ‘Well, if you want to fight me, you have to pay this much.’ Why are you trying to sell yourself out?”
Opetaia stressed that making money remains a part of the sport, but he believes fighters who focus first on beating the other champions end up earning the biggest paydays anyway. In his opinion, success in the ring must come before negotiating leverage.
“Everybody has to get paid,” he said. “But I believe if you race undisputed, the money will come.”
That prospect shaped Opetaia’s own plans at cruiserweight. The champion has repeatedly said his goal is to collect the other titles in the division before thinking about moving up to heavyweight. Winning the belts first, he said, ultimately creates its own financial rewards.
Opetaia said some fighters treat a title reign like a short window and try to maximize earnings before the belt disappears. He believes that approach often leads to cautious matchups and stalled unification battles.
“But I believe I’m the best,” Opetaia said. “If I just keep winning, the money will come anyway.”
Opetaia said he feels he is entering the strongest part of his career and intends to stay active as he pursues the remaining cruiserweight belts. He believes the division will eventually produce the fights needed to decide a single champion.
Opetaia returns to the ring in Las Vegas on Sunday, where he faces Brandon Glanton in his first appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
