Jai Opetaia took on Huseyin Cinkara in a thrilling boxing match and secured victory with a knockout. The fight took place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2025, marking another milestone for Opetaia as a feared cruiserweight boxer.
The opening rounds saw Cinkara deliver a powerful right hand that left Opetaia with a cut above his right eye. Despite the early setback, Opetaia quickly regained control. He launched a series of strong punches that put him back in command of the match.
Opetaia's decisive moment arrived when he unleashed a devastating left hook. It sent Cinkara crashing against the ropes and tumbling to the canvas, unconscious. Concerned spectators watched as medical personnel swiftly attended to Cinkara, transporting him to the hospital for specialist care.
Fran Bradford, part of the Tasman Fighters organizing team, announced that Cinkara did not need surgery but required two days of observation due to concussion, a small bleed, and a minor fracture of his vertebra. After his initial treatment, messages of support poured in from the boxing community during his recovery time.
After his win, Opetaia expressed honest reflections about the tough fight. He said:
"The fight was hard, it was terrible. I made a lot of mistakes and I needed this to be more humble."
His focus remains set on future ambitions as he aims for more unification bouts. Opetaia stated:
"We want the unification fights. We want Ramirez. I've been asking for them for a long time. Stay tuned."
As Cinkara recovers, it's clear that immediate medical attention helped avoid any severe consequences from his injuries. The sporting community shared support and well-wishes for Cinkara during this challenging time.
