Jai Opetaia made a Hollywood entrance with his cruiserweight titles slung over his shoulders for today’s Pacific Championships rugby league match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Surrounded by dancers, displaying Samoan Pacific Island style, Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) marched to the field.
Hollywood entrance, club level opponent
Fans on social media were less kind to Jai, pointing out that he puts on a great show, looking like a proud peacock with his ties, just to defend them against. “another bum” in his next fight on December 6, 2025 against the 40-year-old Huseyin Cinkara.
Amazing scenes in Brisbane 😮💨 @jaiopetaia1
Some halftime show 🔥 #ObetaiaZinkara pic.twitter.com/gVRK9USaqY
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 26, 2025
Fans view Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs) as another example of the type of weak opponents Opetaia has fought. They want to see him show true fighting spirit by fighting the top names in cruiserweight, such as Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, or by facing light heavyweight David Benavidez, or by moving up to heavyweight.
Wasted Prime Years
At 30, Opetaia’s career has stalled as he hasn’t progressed due to the unnamed opposition he’s faced one after another since his unimpressive, safety-first performance in his rematch with Mairis Briedis on May 18, 2024. He won that fight by a 12-round unanimous decision over the then-unanimous decision of Briedis.
Jai wants to achieve his goal of becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He makes no progress in his attempts to do so, as the other champions have shown little interest in fighting him. Instead of reading the writing on the wall and understanding that there are no opportunities for advancement, Opetaia stubbornly chose to stay at cruiserweight. He is aging and wasting his career.
Pig-headed, proud, and not going anywhere
Asked about moving up, Opetaia said he would do it, “when I say it’s ready, not when people want to throw it in my face.” That comment is a perfect example of Jai’s pigheadedness in choosing to stay stuck, hurt and waste.
Opetaia will defend against Cinkara on December 6, 2025 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Last updated on 26/10/2025
