Updated 5 June 2025, 15:05 BST
Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) returns on home soil against Italy’s Claudio Squeo (17-0, 9 KOs) in a meeting of unbeaten cruiserweights named “Return to Paradise”. Opetaia will be defending his IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles against unbeaten Italian on Sunday 8 June at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Check out the cruiserweight top 10 rankings here. UK fans can watch Opetaia vs Squeo on DAZN from 10:00 am BST, with ring walks for the main event due about 13:00 pm BST.
The bout headlines an 11-fight card co-promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Tasman Fighters at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia. Opetaia boxes less than an hour’s drive from his Brisbane roots, chasing a fifth consecutive title defence that could cement negotiations for a unification later this year to become the undisputed cruiserweight. Jai is favourite to win this fight and the next, meaning it is a strong possibility we see the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world in 2026.
Jai Opetaia next fight – date, venue and belts
- Date: Sunday 8 June 2025
- Venue: Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland
- Titles: IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight championships
Opetaia V Squeo weigh in – schedule and expectations
The official weigh-in takes place on Saturday 7 June at the convention-centre plaza. Both men are expected to weigh in near the 200-lb limit, with Opetaia’s camp targeting 199 lb to capitalise on his speed.
Jai Opetaia Undercard – Full Running Order
- Conor Wallace vs Dylan Colin
Division: Light-heavyweight | Rounds: 8 - Ben Mahoney vs Eddy Colmenares
Division: Super-welterweight | Rounds: 10 - Tyler Blizzard vs Rocky Ogden
Division: Featherweight | Rounds: 10 - Danny Keating vs Blake Minto
Division: Welterweight | Rounds: 10. - Max McIntyre vs Ricaia Warren
Division: Super-middleweight | Rounds: 8 - Mariah Turner vs Jaala Tomat
Division: Women’s featherweight | Rounds: 8 - Teremoana Junior vs Jaipal Singh
Division: Heavyweight | Rounds: 4
Four additional prelims round out the 11-fight schedule, with the first bell at 08:00 BST.
Form & Tactical Keys
Jai Opetaia
Opetaia’s southpaw angles and 78% knockout ratio have produced five straight stoppages, most recently the brutal fourth-round knockout of David Nyika in January. At 29, he holds physical advantages in height (6 ft 3 in) and reach, and he switches effortlessly between mid-range counters and close-quarters hooks.
Claudio Squeo
Squeo, 34, cracked the IBF top 15 with diligent pressure and a 53% KO rate. The Italian is compact at 5 ft 10 in, leans on a tight high-guard and looks to reel off short right hands when opponents over-commit. His step up from European level is stark, but his composure has carried him through three straight 10-rounders.
Tale of the Tape – Jai Opetaia vs Claudio Squeo
Power
- Opetaia: 21 knockouts in 27 fights
- Squeo: 9 knockouts in 17 fights
- Advantage: Opetaia
Height
- Opetaia: 191 cm
- Squeo: 178 cm
- Advantage: Opetaia
Activity
- Opetaia: Competes approximately every 4 months
- Squeo: Typically fights every 8 months
- Advantage: Opetaia
Stance
- Opetaia: Southpaw
- Squeo: Orthodox
- Advantage: Style contrast slightly favours Opetaia
Championship Rounds
- Opetaia: 5 world title fights
- Squeo: No experience in world title bouts
- Advantage: Opetaia
Jai Opetaia Fight Time and Where to Watch – PPV Price Breakdown
United Kingdom:
- Broadcast Start: Sunday 10:00 am BST
- Main-Event Ring Walks: Approximately 13:00 pm BST
- Price: Included in DAZN subscription (Standard £9.99 / Flexible £19.99) – no additional PPV charge
Who is the bookies’ favourite, Opetaia or Squeo?
UK sportsbooks list Opetaia 1/80 favourite (-8000) and Squeo 16/1 outsider, with the over 6.5-rounds prop at 11/10. Money has edged towards an early finish since Tuesday’s open workout, narrowing Opetaia-by-KO to 2/9.
Jai Opetaia rematch talk & Cruiserweight implications
Should Opetaia prevail, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has flagged a potential blockbuster rematch against former champion Mairis Briedis in Riyadh this autumn. A contractual rematch clause for Squeo is not in play, so defeat would likely steer the Italian back toward the European scene rather than an immediate return.
Victory would leave Opetaia one belt shy of full unification and might accelerate negotiations with WBO titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez. A Squeo upset would redraw the cruiserweight map, handing Italy its first male world champion since Giovanni De Carolis in 2016, there is also another Italian fighting this weekend on the Simpson V Zucco, if he wins he would be setting himself up for a world champion fight. Either outcome injects fresh narrative into a division often overshadowed by the heavyweights.
Final word
With hometown fervour, two undefeated records and world honours at stake, Jai Opetaia vs Claudio Squeo offers high-stakes clarity in the cruiserweight hierarchy. Expect early drama, but if Squeo weathers the opening surge a compelling chess match could unfold before the Queensland crowd.
© Split-Decision.co.uk – all rights reserved.