Lineal and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) will defend his crown against unbeaten mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara (23-0, 17 KOs) on December 6 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia, Tasman Fighters confirmed.
The bout marks Opetaia’s third fight of 2025 and his third straight appearance at the Gold Coast venue. Earlier this year, he stopped David Nyika in January and Claudio Squeo in June, both inside the distance.
Cinkara, a 40-year-old Germany-born, Turkey-based contender, earned his mandatory spot with a knockout win over Armend Xhoxhaj in April 2024. He returned this past April to stop Juan Diaz in the opening round.
Opetaia previously sought a unification against WBA/WBO champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, though injury ruled Ramirez out of a planned November 22 Riyadh date. Efforts to land Chris Billam-Smith also fell through, leading to the IBF mandatory being enforced.
Heavyweights Justis Huni and Teremoana Jnr are expected to feature on the undercard, with full details still to be announced.
“Clearing the path,” Opetaia wrote on social media. “I want ALL the belts.”
Fight card:
▪️Jai Opetaia vs. Huseyin Cinkara, 12 rounds, for Opetaia’s IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles
▪️Justis Huni vs. TBA, heavyweight
▪️Teremoana Jr. vs. TBA, heavyweight
