Jai Opetaia opens up on failed Zurdo Ramirez talks and ‘perfect’ future plans

On March 8, at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Jai Opetaia vs Brandon Glanton headlines a Zuffa Boxing card live on Paramount+. Opetaia’s lineal/IBF cruiserweight title should be on the line, as will the Zuffa cruiserweight title. Ahead of his Zuffa debut, Opetaia spoke to Dan Rafael on the Fight Freaks Unite podcast about the failed Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez fight, while teasing another potential unification bout.

Jai Opetaia set to face Brandon Glanton on March 8

Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) has never hidden his desire to collect all the belts. In his last bout, he defeated Huseyin Cinkara via a highlight-reel eighth-round KO.

Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) is brave and will look to make Opetaia uncomfortable. In his last fight, he produced an impressive performance, defeating Marcus Browne.

Opetaia addresses Ramirez talks and teases June unification

When asked about Zurdo Ramirez and a potential unification bout, Opetaia said: “I don’t think there was much conversation to be honest. I feel like we f***ing wanted the fight and they said no. It is what it is. I got to take care of business on the 8th, and I’ve got no doubt that fight will come. We just gotta keep winning and focusing on our job.

“We’ve got to make sure we deliver every time we step in the ring, and then we just get closer and closer to getting these fights over the line.”

Opetaia also expressed his desire to face WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian around June, and described those plans as “perfect.”

Listen below for Dan Rafael’s full interview with Jai Opetaia and the full recap with TJ Rives.

Jai Opetaia vs Brandon Glanton full fight card

• Jai Opetaia vs Brandon Glanton, 12 rounds, for Opetaia’s lineal/IBF cruiserweight title
• Ricardo Salas vs Jesus Saracho, 10 rounds, welterweights
• Adan Palma vs Pablo Rubio Jr., 8 rounds, featherweights
• Vlad Panin vs Shinard Bunch, 10 rounds, welterweights
• Joshua Juarez vs Jardae Anderson, 8 rounds, heavyweights
• Jaycob Ramos vs Ethan Perez, 6 rounds, featherweights
• Brady Ochoa vs Adrian Serrano, 6 rounds, lightweights
• Emiliano Alvarado vs Erick Rosado, 6 rounds, featherweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Jai Opetaia vs Brandon Glanton, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.