Unbeaten Australian makes surprise comments on former promoter.
Carrying the hopes and expectations of an entire country on your shoulders really tests the strength of a man. Not just of a physical nature, but in terms of his character.
A man cannot be blamed for breaking under such pressure, and if he stays strong in spite of it, he can rightly walk into a room feeling a hundred feet tall.
Jai Opetaia is one such man. Like Sisyphus and his boulder, he carries the entirety of Australia on his back, as he is the country’s only current male champion. There are other very promising Australian fighters, yes, as well as a few former world champions.
There is only one Jai Opetaia, though.
The cruiserweight force from Sydney almost seems to embody some rage that was formed long ago, long before he was born. A rage that was far too powerful to be held by the individual who created it, so it was passed down to him, a man who was powerful enough to hold it.
That would certainly echo throughout his in-ring performances, as he treats opponents not as mere adversaries, but as threats to be annihilated entirely. His mission seemingly not to render a man unconscious, but to reduce him to a pile of ash with smoke emanating from it that may just be the dwindling afterthought of the man’s soul.
Well, the unbeaten champion has now been faced with a dilemma. You see, after signing with Zuffa Boxing, Opetaia has had a fight announced against Brandon Glanton that will be for the Zuffa cruiserweight title.
However, Opetaia holds the IBF and The Ring championships, and Zuffa has promised to do away with such titles. After much confusion, the IBF offered Opetaia an ultimatum just last night.
Defend the IBF title or fight for the Zuffa one, not both.
Whatever Opetaia chooses to do, it’s an interesting situation. However, in an interview with talkSPORT Boxing, Opetaia has made certain comments about Eddie Hearn, his former Matchroom Boxing promoter.
“Eddie Hearn, he’s not my mate”, said Opetaia. “Like, we don’t go f###in’ hangin’ out and go to the pub together and–bro, it’s fully professional, you know what I mean?”
Opetaia continued, “You know, how many times did I make it clear how I wanted the undisputed, you know? ‘I’m chasin’ the belts.’ Nothin’ happened, you know? Like–and then I signed with him [Dana White], and he’s [Eddie Hearn] just nothin’ but bad, you know? Like, just talkin’ badly, you know? Tryin’ to drag me through the mud.”
These comments will come as a shock to many, given Hearn’s previous support of Opetaia. However, the relationship with the Matchroom promoter seems to be just another thing complicated by Opetaia jumping ship to Zuffa.
“Eddie Hearn is NOT MY MATE…he’s been dragging me through the mud!” 🤯
Jai Opetaia REVEALS his thoughts on Conor Benn and himself signing for Zuffa and reacts to Eddie Hearns comments about him leaving Matchroom. He also talks about his IBF belt… pic.twitter.com/gDFFaKUxLg
— talkSPORT Boxing (@boxing_ts) March 4, 2026
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
