Jai Opetaia potential next fight emerges after rival left hospitalised for further days with broken neck

Promoter Spencer Brown wants Jai Opetaia to fight Badou Jack next if he retains his WBC cruiserweight title.

Opetaia went 29-0 in his professional ventures when he knocked out Huseyin Cinkara on December 7.

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Ultimately it was a crushing left hook from Opetaia that sent the 40-year-old down to the canvas in the eighth round of their fight.

After receiving a medical assessment, it was confirmed that Cinkara would need to remain in the hospital.

Tasman Fighters has since provided an update on Cinkara’s condition.

A statement read: “Huseyin Cinkara has been admitted to hospital for a contusion on the brain with a small brain bleed and a slightly fractured C1.

“No operation needed. Two days observation required.

“The Tasman Fighters family wishes Huseyin a fast and full recovery.”

As the Turkish-German fighter became the sixth of Opetaia’s last seven opponents to be hospitalised, attention turned to who will share the ring with the powerhouse next.

Brown told media that the WBC cruiserweight champion, Jack, is top of the list if he can beat Noel Mikaeljan on December 13.

He said: “That’s the promised fight if he can get through what he has to get through.

“He’s got to fight this man, and he won’t be too keen on that.”

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Will Jai Opetaia fight Badou Jack next?

Opetaia has called for unification bouts, which could see him pitted against Jack should he successfully defend his title this month.

Jack is out to score a convincing win over Mikaelian in their rematch, having claimed a narrow points win the first time around.

However, the Australian seems to be prioritising a clash with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez first.

Opetaia said post-fight: “But now we want the unification fights. We want Ramirez.

“I’ve been asking for them [Ramirez’s team] for a long time.”

Only time will tell who is next to share the ring with Opetaia, but he is set to have a big 2026 as he challenges for the division’s gold.