Dana White has made a change to the strategy of Zuffa Boxing as cruiserweight star Jai Opetaia joins the promotion.
Dana White has been forced to change his strategy ahead of the launch of Zuffa Boxing on the 23rd January.
Sending shockwaves through the world of professional boxing, TKO and Dana White have made brash statements in their launch into the sport.
White is currently in the process of making amendments to the Muhammed Ali act.
An act in place to protect fighters in the U.S.A, enforcing that promotions are fully transparent with fighters surrounding the revenue that events generate, ensuring that fighters are paid fairly.
An attempt to amend this act has come with immense controversy, with existing promoters in America like Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya doubling down on the original methods.
In addition to this, Dana White has disregarded the current belt system that is in place in boxing.
Boxing currently has four recognised governing bodies with world titles.
These are the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF.
Dana White is creating a Zuffa belt, in an attempt to govern his own promotion without the need for the four existing governing bodies.
This is a similar model to the success that White has had in MMA, with the UFC possessing a large share of the MMA market.
Zuffa announced their first marquee signing in boxing, with IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia signing a co-promotional deal.
In a signing that raised eyebrows, it was unclear at first whether Opetaia would be relinquishing his opportunity at undisputed cruiserweight glory.
Boxing King Media can exclusively reveal that Jai Opetaia will be pushed by Zuffa Boxing to unify the cruiserweight division.
Co-promoter of Opetaia Mick Hennessey of Tasman Fighters stated, in an interview on the Boxing King Media Youtube channel, that “They will let Jai fight for the titles and unify the division”.
Jai Opetaia can now fight the likes of WBO and WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez and WBC champion Noel Mikaelyan to unify his belts. David Benavidez is scheduled to face Ramirez later this year for the two titles, so if Benavidez emerges victorious, Opetaia may someday end up fighting ‘The Mexican Monster.’
Jai Opetaia will now have the opportunity to fight on Paramount Plus in America, with a viewer friendly aggressive style, he has the opportunity to become a global star.
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