Opetaia happy to fight “Zurdo” Ramirez on October 12 then Billam-Smith in December

JAI OPETAIA is prepared to fight twice in two months if it means securing a deal to face Chris Billam-Smith.

The two cruiserweight world champions are considered the best in the weight class and Opetaia is eager to find out who is the top dog.

Both men have gone back and forth in recent weeks after Opetaia tore into his rival during DAZN’s coverage of the Justis Huni-Troy Picher card in Australia last month.

“The offer’s there, we’ve made the offer. If he’s not taking it, he’s ducking the fight,” the IBF champion said at the time.

Earlier this month Billam-Smith, the WBO champion, spoke to Boxing News about Opetaia’s remarks.

“I think they wanted it on October 12 and I’m not going to shorten my camp for anyone,” he said.

“I’m happy to fight him. I’m going to be ready in November/December. Obviously, you’ve got the December card, and I’m happy to fight him then. The team will deal with the rest of it.”

BN reached out to Opetaia recently and while the Aussie has full respect for his fellow champion he is growing tired of waiting around.

“The fight’s there to be made. October 12. If he doesn’t take it I’ll have to fight someone else,” he said.

“I want to stay busy, I don’t want to sit around and wait. If they want to fight December I’ll still fight October. If he wants to fight in December sign the contract now. Let’s get the deal now. Let’s make it happen.”

Fighters occasionally refer to a term called ‘Itchy Knuckles’ which relates to their restlessness while waiting for a fight. Opetaia appears to have it all the time. He has his reasons, however. After defeating Mairis Breidis in July 2022 to become world champion he then sat on the sidelines for a year because of injury and issues outside of the ring.

Opetaia returned to blistering effect in September last year running over Jordan Thompson. Three months later he needed just three minutes to wipe out Ellis Zorro. In May his return to the top of the 200lbs division was confirmed when he beat Briedis in another hard-fought encounter. Momentum is very much on his side and he’s not keen on spending too long without having a fight signed.

“I don’t understand what we’re waiting for,” he said. “Unification fights, champions fighting champions, that’s why we’re in this sport.”

And if WBA champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez is available for October 12 well Opetaia would be more than willing to face him as well.

“I will fight any of them. What are we beating around the bush for? Gimme a call, let’s make it happen.

“I don’t want to be a famous superstar, I want to be the best fighter in the world. That’s all that interests me.”