How can Opetaia and Glanton get the better of each other?

But that does not mean the Australian will walk out of the Meta APEX in Las Vegas empty-handed. The inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title will be on the line.

Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) crushed his competition in 2025 as he produced three knockout victories including the eighth-round stoppage of Huseyin Cinkara in December. He faces a Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) who fought twice last year, having recovered from a unanimous decision loss to Chris Billam-Smith in April by stopping Marcus Browne in October.

Will Opetaia collect his 30^th professional victory and the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight strap in style? Or will Glanton make Opetaia’s debut under the new company a nightmare with a shocking upset? DAZN News examines the Keys to Victory for both fighters.

Jai Opetaia’s Keys to Victory

Use footwork and push off on an incoming Glanton

Watch Jai Opetaia in action and it is clear that his nimble footwork allows him to get to spots where he can use his hand speed to hurt opponents.

Another subtle thing that Opetaia does well is push off on pressuring fighters, forcing them to reset.

These traits should all be of essential use against Brandon Glanton who stalks forward and likes to walk opponents down relentlessly.

Opetaia can negate this by using his footwork and pushing off when necessary to create apt room to operate.

Make deposits to the body

Another way that Opetaia can keep Glanton off him is by making deposits to the body.

Stab-jabbing to Glanton’s midsection could drive the American back with each land. It could also free up Opetaia’s more significant power punches to do damage upstairs.

Glanton might be tailor made for body shots, considering he shows a high, tight guard as he stalks forward.

Set up the left hook

Opetaia is quite adept at setting up his left hook. The southpaw achieves this by burying a shoulder into an opponent's chest at times and unleashing the shot.

In other moments, he throws a right hand as a distraction to a fighter’s gloves only to unload a rapid left hook around the guard.

He also throws the punch as a sharp counter.

Whatever the case, the weapon is capable of parking Glanton right where he stands. Opetaia could detonate the shot to hoist the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title by night’s end. We are highlighting the left hook, but Opetaia has blinding power in both hands.

Brandon Glanton’s Keys to Victory

Pressure Opetaia early as a gauge

Brandon Glanton barrels his way forward, cutting off the ring on opponents effectively.

The American does a solid job of bodying up to his opposition, burying his shoulders into the chest and freeing up compact shots to pounce upon. However, Jai Opetaia, as aforementioned, is skilled in the same art. So, Glanton has to be himself and fight his game, but do it with caution.

Therefore, Glanton should use his early pressure as a gauge to see what he is capable of doing against Opetaia and then make adjustments if necessary.

Split Opetaia’s guard with consistency

Persistent punching could split Opetaia’s guard. Glanton is particularly good executing this against taller fighters as he is able to find a home with piercing shots.

Doing this against Opetaia could score him points and give the Australian something to think about along the way.

Do not get erratic

Glanton has an inside style where he could have success against Opetaia who can be hit. But the American fighter cannot afford to open up on his punch attempts too widely.

One mistake and a sharp counterpuncher like Opetaia will make him pay dearly.

Glanton must keep his output compact and clean.

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