Dana White makes first major boxing signing as undefeated world champion joins Zuffa

Zuffa Boxing has snapped up lineal and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on a co-promotional deal.

It marks a major coup for the upstart promotion led by UFC president Dana White, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, and WWE president Nick Khan.

Getty

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, while it remains unclear if Opetaia (29-0) will compete exclusively under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

A press release from Opetaia’s co-promoter, Tasman Fighters, was curiously accompanied by a poster with the bold lettering ‘Road To Undisputed’ printed across it.

Zuffa Boxing is intent upon disregarding the four sanctioning bodies and is pushing hard for the Muhammad Ali Revival Act to be passed through Congress in order to establish its own separate world titles and rankings.

Opetaia has been chasing unification fights with the other champions at 200lbs to no avail and expressed an unwavering desire to become undisputed champion during his announcement video.

Jai dropping

“I’m with Zuffa Boxing now,” Opetaia said. “I’m pumped for the future.

“Exciting times, man. Let’s get these big fights over the line: unification and undisputed too. Let’s go.”

It remains to be seen how easy his dream will be to achieve now that he has joined forces with White, who told Stephen A. Smith in an interview last week, “I’m going to get rid of the sanctioning organisations.”

That being said, White also declared that he wouldn’t be working with any of the other promoters, only to enter into a co-promotional deal with Tasman Fighters.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for everyone involved,” said Mick Francis, CEO of Tasman Fighters.

“Jai Opetaia is already a world champion, but we firmly believe he is going to establish himself as a major name in the United States and beyond.

Getty

Getty

“This partnership puts him exactly where he belongs — on the biggest platforms, against the biggest opponents. Jai is leading the way for Australian boxing right now.

“He’s shown what’s possible with hard work, discipline and belief, and this is only the beginning.

“There are more developments ahead, and we’re extremely confident about what the future holds.”

Opetaia had previously been co-promoted by Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing.

However, Tasman and Matchroom’s partnership ended last year.

The last time Opetaia stepped between the ropes in December to dispatch mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara inside eight rounds, Matchroom was not involved in the event.