Opetaia solidified his reign as the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world champion with a commanding fifth-round stoppage victory over Italy’s Claudio Squeo on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Australian showcased his dominance at the Gold Coast, extending his unbeaten record to 28-0 in a performance that underscored his ambition to unify the cruiserweight division.
Opetaia controlled the bout from the opening bell, landing a crisp uppercut in the third round that set the tone for his relentless attack. In the fourth, a punishing body shot sent Squeo to the canvas, and the Italian struggled to recover.
The end came in the fifth when Opetaia delivered a devastating right hook to Squeo’s jaw, forcing him to take a knee and prompting the referee to halt the contest. The victory marked another milestone in Opetaia’s quest for greatness, as he continues to establish himself as one of boxing’s brightest stars.
Post-fight, Opetaia reiterated his desire for a unification showdown with WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez. “We did what we had to do,” Opetaia said. “I’m chasing this unification fight, and it’s frustrating. Gilberto Ramirez—next fight, let’s get it on. I’m chasing the belts. The fight is easy to make. Let’s do it.” A clash with Ramirez could cement Opetaia’s legacy as the undisputed king of the cruiserweight division.