Cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia gave a ruthless opinion when it came to a rumoured Gilberto Ramirez and Jake Paul clash.
The Aussie returns this weekend after an impressive knockout win over David Nyika against Claudio Squeo, who is not expected to go the distance.
As current holder of the IBF and Ring Magazine belts, Opetaia has been eyeing the huge cruiserweight unifications which have yet to transpire.
One such name is WBO and WBA champion ‘Zurdo’ who has been quiet when it comes to the 29-year-old.
Instead the Mexican has opted to defend against the ‘KO Doctor’ Yuniel Dorticos on the undercard of Paul vs Chavez Jr.
Suggestions and rumours are rife that if both come through with victories, the social media star will land himself a world title shot.
But all this noise does not concern this intense southpaw and when speaking to Ring Magazine he gave this scathing verdict.
He said: “I honestly believe if he wants to call himself the best cruiserweight in the world, he’s got to beat me first, and until he does that he’s not.
“I don’t know what he wants to do or what he’s trying to do … he’s chasing coin, you can’t knock him if he wants to fight Jake Paul for a huge lump sum of money, who’d turn that down?”
On the subject of the influencer, the champion said he’d be happy to “bash” the star for a multimillion pound price tag.
Opetaia ruthless opinion on legacy
In the interview, he was very keen to stress that he isn’t disrespecting the 33-year-old.
He explained: “They say ‘He doesn’t want to fight’, that’s their excuse for not putting the fight on, which, I don’t know, but I don’t even want to talk badly about someone.
“Genuinely, I’m not that guy, I don’t want to say [Ramirez] is a bad person or anything like that and I don’t believe he’s an easy fight either.”
27 fights deep into his professional career with 21 knockouts, the aim for the southpaw is more than money.
His biggest victories have been two wins over the great Mairis Briedis but he has been unable to attract other big names to the resume.
However, this has not dampened his vision.
“I’m not saying I want to bash him or blow him out of the water, but I’m chasing unification fights. I’m chasing greatness,” Opetaia said.
“Every single fighter that is fighting on the world stage should want to be chasing undisputed.”
Options to get there within the year are slim with Ramirez holding two belts and Badou Jack likely to rematch Noel Mikaelian.
Although this does not phase the cruiserweight titlist, he focuses on his performances instead with his opinion on legacy unchanged.
“If I just keep winning and keep handling my business, it’ll come.
“I’ve got a goal in my head and I’m going to get it done. So let’s do it.”
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
