Overview

• Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) will make a voluntary defense of his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles against undefeated Italian challenger Claudio Squeo (17-0, 9 KOs) on June 8 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• Claudio Squeo enters his first world title opportunity after fighting just once in 20 months and has never competed outside Italy, bringing relentless inside pressure to the bout.
• The champion postponed the originally scheduled May 13 fight after sustaining a minor training injury and has since returned to full health ahead of fight week.
• Opetaia’s camp has emphasized sparring with shorter, heavy-hitting partners to sharpen his patience and counterpunching against Squeo’s anticipated aggressive style.
• After retaining his crowns, Opetaia aims to challenge Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez for the WBA and WBO belts this fall.