Boxing
'Take care of business!' - Opetaia ready to see off Squeo as Ramirez talks remain in the dark
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Jai Opetaia has reiterated his desire to face Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez for a unified cruiserweight crown, but stresses he must "take care of business" against Claudio Squeo first.
The Australian will entertain the unbeaten Italian in the latest test of his credentials next month when he enjoys a homecoming bout on the Gold Coast against the star.
Victory will see Opetaia retain his IBF title in a fractured division that currently is dominated by Ramirez, the incumbent WBA and WBO champion after he beat Chris Billam-Smith.
The former has been chasing a bout for the three belts for some time now, and admits he must defeat Squeo first to set it up, even as he is frustrated by a waiting game.
"There have bee talks [and] words," he said. "But I’ve also now heard a lot of talks, a lot of words. People saying this is possible, that can happen.
"But none of it matters unless I take care of business on June 8. So that’s what I’m locked in on. Honestly, man, I don’t have the answers. [I] wish I did, but I don’t."
"I’ve had the IBF and Ring belts for a long time now, and I’m trying to make these fights. But it’s been a circus. I see [his promoter] Oscar De La Hoya at all the boxing events.
"Every time, [I will] say ‘hey, when are we fighting? Let’s make it happen’. I’m always respectful about it. Oscar will say ‘yeah, yeah, we’ve got to make it happen’.
"Then, crickets. I have respect for Zurdo, and in no way am I going to sit here and badmouth any guy or say they’re a bad person.
"I’m not saying he’s an easy fight, either. But still my message to Zurdo is this: ‘You’re not the best cruiserweight in the world until you beat me’."
“Still, the fight has to come and it will. I’ve been chasing this guy a long time and my time will come. I have no doubts about that. So let’s make it happen."
A version of this story was originally published on Fox Sports.
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