Quick Read
- Jai Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) defends his IBF cruiserweight title on December 6, 2025, in Australia.
- His opponent, Huseyin Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs), is a 40-year-old Turkish-German contender making his first major step up.
- Cinkara is a 25-1 underdog but remains confident, citing faith and years of hard work.
- Opetaia is considered the division’s top champion and a target for future unification fights.
- Noel Mikaelian also has eyes on unification, with Opetaia as a prime opponent.
Jai Opetaia: Cruiserweight’s Relentless Reign and New IBF Challenge
Boxing’s cruiserweight division rarely stands still. And right now, all eyes are on Jai Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs), the undefeated Australian champion who has rapidly become the division’s dominant force. On December 6, 2025, Opetaia will defend his IBF title at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland against Huseyin Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs), a German-born Turkish contender whose journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary.
IBF Mandatory: Cinkara’s Unexpected Rise
Huseyin Cinkara’s story isn’t one of boxing privilege or early recognition. At 40, and without a marquee win on his record, Cinkara is an outlier in a sport that values youth and fame. He was originally scheduled to face Opetaia in January, only for a ligament tear in training to postpone his shot. Now, having arrived in Australia a week before the fight, Cinkara faces the biggest test of his career—stepping up several levels against a champion widely regarded as the division’s best.
“I have worked for years to reach this moment, with faith, discipline, and determination,” Cinkara told Ring Magazine. His preparation included sparring with world-class names like Oleksandr Usyk, Murat Gassiev, Ilunga Makabu, Arsen Goulamirian, and Mairis Briedis—testament to his commitment and readiness for the elite level. Yet, bookmakers see him as a 25-1 underdog, with few outside his own camp giving him a real chance.
But Cinkara isn’t fazed by the odds. “Fighting in Australia is not a disadvantage. On the contrary, a victory on foreign soil will be even greater. I feel no pressure, only excitement,” he says. Messages from Turkish fans in Australia have further bolstered his confidence: “I will not be alone.”
Jai Opetaia: The Division’s Apex Predator
Jai Opetaia’s rise has been relentless. Since claiming the IBF crown, his performances have marked him as the man to beat at cruiserweight. He’s respected not just for his technical prowess and power, but for his resilience and ambition. According to Ring Magazine, Opetaia is “currently the top cruiserweight champion”—a status hard-earned and fiercely defended.
Opetaia’s reputation extends beyond the ring. Fighters like Noel Mikaelian, who is himself eyeing unification fights, see Opetaia as a key figure in the division. Mikaelian told Big Fight Weekend that he’s “definitely looking toward unification fights in the division with either [Gilberto] ‘Zurdo’ Ramírez or Jai Opetaia.” For contenders and champions alike, Opetaia is both a target and a benchmark.
Unification Dreams and Cruiserweight’s Crossroads
The division is at a crossroads. Noel Mikaelian, fresh off preparations for his rematch with Badou Jack, has openly discussed the allure of unification. “Once we succeed with that maybe move up a division,” Mikaelian said, signaling that the cruiserweight landscape is ripe for seismic shifts.
Unification bouts are boxing’s holy grail—rare, risky, and immensely rewarding. For Opetaia, should he prevail against Cinkara, the path toward facing other titleholders like Mikaelian or Ramírez becomes clearer. These fights promise not just glory, but the chance to cement a legacy in one of boxing’s most competitive weight classes.
Faith, Adversity, and the Human Side of Boxing
Cinkara’s journey is colored by hardship and perseverance. “My life has never been easy. I’ve had to fight to survive, for my family, health, and always for my dream, but with Allah’s will, I have overcome every challenge,” he shared with Ring Magazine. His promoter, Ahmet Oner, admitted initial doubts due to Cinkara’s age, but was eventually won over by the fighter’s relentless drive: “He’s not giving up.”
For Cinkara, faith is the engine that powers his ambition. “First and foremost is my faith,” he said, reflecting on the difficult road he’s traveled. The fight against Opetaia is more than a sporting contest—it’s the culmination of years of struggle, hope, and belief.
What’s at Stake: For Opetaia and Cruiserweight’s Future
Victory for Opetaia would reinforce his status as the division’s kingpin and open doors to lucrative and legacy-defining unification fights. For Cinkara, a win would be one of the sport’s great upsets—a moment that could redefine his career and perhaps the division itself.
Behind the numbers and headlines, these fighters represent two facets of boxing: Opetaia, the young champion at his peak, hungry for more; and Cinkara, the veteran dreamer, fueled by faith and persistence. Their clash is not just about a belt, but about proving something fundamental—to themselves, their fans, and the wider boxing world.
As the cruiserweight division braces for this IBF showdown, the real story lies in the uncertainty. Will Opetaia’s dominance continue? Or will Cinkara, against all odds, write a new chapter in boxing’s book of surprises?
Opetaia’s position atop the cruiserweight division is undisputed, but the hunger from fighters like Cinkara and Mikaelian ensures that no champion can rest easy. In boxing, certainty lasts only until the next bell rings—and with unification on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever.