Aussie sends Jake Paul brutal message, calls out Gilberto Ramirez

Jai Opetaia has laughed off suggestions Jake Paul can ever becoming king of the cruiserweight division – declaring “I would bash the s*** out of him, literally” – while also outlining his own blueprint for the undisputed crown..

Almost 18 months on from Paul first challenging him via Fox Sports Australia, Opetaia is now gunning for his third straight IBF title defence — taking on Italy’s undefeated Claudio Squeo on the Gold Coast this Sunday.

Should the Aussie continue his undefeated tear against Squeo (17-0) talks are already underway for a Las Vegas unification blockbuster this September against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who holds the WBO and WBA straps.

OPETAIA vs SQUEO | SUN 8 JUNE 4PM AEST | Champ Opetaia defends his cruiserweight world title against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo. | Order now on DAZN

Yet despite being on the cusp of division domination, Opetaia has this month been unwittingly dragged into discussions about brash American YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – who most recently fought, and beat, an ageing Mike Tyson.

Only 20 days after Opetaia headlines, Paul will also undergo arguably the biggest test of his career against Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in Los Angeles.

Intriguingly, the Paul card will also feature the same champ Opetaia has been chasing for a year — with Ramirez defending his cruiserweight straps in the co-main.

Should both Opetaia and Ramirez win, there has already been suggestions the pair will finally throw down on the same September card topped by Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

However the decision by Ramirez to fight as Paul’s co-main has ignited suggestions that, rather than looking to unify, the champ could potentially try to sidestep for other lucrative bouts, including The Problem Chilld.

Others in discussions to fight Ramirez recently include Dmitry Bivol, David Benavidez and WBC cruiserweight champ Badou Jack.

Elsewhere, Paul has also spoken loudly about his own quest to become a cruiserweight champion, with potential fights against either Ramirez or Jack having made headlines in recent weeks.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia at the start of last year, the American also stressed a bout between himself and Opetaia could be made within 18 months – or right about now – while also declaring the Central Coast puncher had undeniable “star power”.

Yet when asked about Paul this week, Opetaia insisted there was little chance of the former Disney star ever delivering on his talks about dominating the cruiserweight division.

“It’s why I don’t even like talking about Jake Paul,” Opetaia said.

“That guy, he isn’t world class.

“C’mon, now.

“I would bash the s*** out of Jake Paul, literally.”

So as for Zurdo fighting on his undercard, and what the champ thinks it could mean?

“Who cares?” he continued.

“And what am I meant to do about it?

“I hear people talk of fighting YouTubers, making a quick buck.

“Bro, I’m chasing unifications, chasing undisputed.”

Then after a brief pause, Opetaia continued with a grin: “But if Jake Paul wants to fight me, bring it on.

“I’ll absolutely bash him on the way to becoming undisputed.

“But we know he’s smarter than that.

“These guys, they’re about business.

“They don’t want to be the best fighter in the world, they want to be the most famous.

“And there’s a real big difference in the two.”

As revealed last week, Team Opetaia are already in discussions for a unification bout with Ramirez should both men win their upcoming defences only 20 days apart.

Opetaia has also confirmed there is a chance the bout lands on the same September showcase headlined by Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

“And I’ve been chasing this guy a long time,” Opetaia said of Ramirez. “And my time will come.

“I have no doubts about that.”

Asked specifically about his desire to land ‘Zurdo’, the Brisbane-based puncher continued: “This isn’t even about Zurdo.

“It’s about the belts.

“I want the belts.

“So if Zurdo loses the belts, I want whoever has them.

“I want unification fights.

“Every world champion should be chasing undisputed, and I am.”

OPETAIA vs SQUEO | SUN 8 JUNE 4PM AEST | Champ Opetaia defends his cruiserweight world title against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo. | Order now on DAZN

Elsewhere, Opetaia also confirmed he also plans to face whoever has the WBC belt once he bests Ramirez.

Yet intriguingly,, reigning WBC champ Jack has also previously fought on a Jake Paul pay-per-view and suggested earlier this month he has no problem putting his title on the line against him.

“It’s an easy fight and it’s a money fight,” Jack said of a Paul showdown. “So why not?”

During a recent press conference to announce his upcoming card, Paul also sat alongside Ramirez and revealed he wanted a crack at the champ – “I’m ready now” – before later suggesting the bout could be two years away.

Ramirez, meanwhile, said of Paul: “I have this opponent (Yuniel Dorticos) I have to take care of first … and then, whoever, don’t matter’’.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia last week, Opetaia described his ongoing attempts to unify the cruiserweight division as “a circus”, while also revealing Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh had suggested Mexico’s Ramirez was “scared” to face him.

Should both men win, Opetaia confirmed his plan was then to unify on that same card featuring Alvarez and Crawford – and said he had spoken personally with Ramirez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya to make it happen.

Asked why the ‘Zurdo’ fight has yet to materialise, the Aussie said: “Honestly, man, I don’t have the answers.

“Wish I did, but I don’t.

“I’ve had the IBF and Ring belts for a long time now, and I’m trying to make these fights.

“But it’s been a circus.

“I see Oscar De La Hoya at all the boxing events and, every time, say ‘hey, when are we fighting? Let’s make it happen’.

“I’m always respectful about it.

“And Oscar will say ‘yeah, yeah, we’ve got to make it happen’.

“Then, crickets …”

Opetaia stressed, however, that he has no ill will towards the Mexican who has lost only one of 48 fights — a hyped 2022 showdown against Dmitry Bivol.

“But still my message to Zurdo is this: ‘You’re not the best cruiserweight in the world until you beat me’,” he said.

Earlier this month, Opetaia’s promoter Eddie Hearn said the only hurdle standing between his fighter and Ramirez – “which is money” – would be sorted by His Excellency Al-Sheik this year.

Yet when asked about his own conversations with the Saudi boxing advisor, who has taken a close interest in promoting Opetaia, the fighter revealed suggestions Team Zurdo are “scared”.

“He and I are always talking,” the champ said of His Excellency.

“And there was one time where he told me, honestly, he said to me ‘they don’t want to fight you, they’re scared.

“That’s what has come out of his mouth.

“And I don’t know if I’m meant to say that, but he did tell me one time that they’re scared.

“Still, the fight has to come.

“And it will.

“I’ve been chasing this guy a long time.

“And my time will come.

“I have no doubts about that.

“So let’s f***ing make it happen.”