Overview
- Opetaia flattened previously unbeaten Huseyin Cinkara with a single overhand left in round eight on the Gold Coast to move to 29-0 and keep both belts.
- Cinkara remains in hospital recovering from what local reports describe as a fractured C1 vertebra and a brain bleed, with no surgery expected and a stay through at least Wednesday.
- Despite the emphatic finish, Opetaia criticised his display, saying he "fought like s---" after being rocked by right hands in round two and leaving the ring with a swollen eye.
- Opetaia’s priority is a unification bout, though WBO/WBA champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez is tied to a defense against David Benavídez in mid-2026.
- The WBC path could open after Badou Jack’s rematch with Norair Mikaelian on December 13, with Mikaelian expressing eagerness to face Opetaia if he wins and Jack signaling interest on a Ramadan-adjusted timeline.