As expected, Jai Opetaia was too good for Claudio Squeo, knocking the Italian challenger out in the fifth round of the stay-busy fight.
The Australian retained his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles with the dominant stoppage victory at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Sunday night, closing the show with a right hook, which reportedly broke Squeo’s jaw.
Many had predicted Opetaia to make light work of the stocky slugger, who was a $26 rank outsider, but Squeo’s height and tricky style meant the southpaw had to bide his time, at least for a few rounds anyway.
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With Squeo dealt with, Opetaia can now safely refocus his sights on a unification fight.
The destructive southpaw is set to travel to Anaheim, California later this month to sit ringside for WBC and WBO champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s fight with Yuniel Dorticos, hoping to push his case to square off with the Mexican.
Should Ramirez get through that fight, Opetaia’s team are eyeing off an October date for the potential unification bout.
“Next fight - ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez,” Opetaia said in the ring following the victory.
“I’m not here to bad mouth him, I’m not here to beat him down, he’s not here to defend himself, but the fight is easy to be made.
“We are ready. Whenever you call me, I’m ready. Let’s do it.
“Anyone who thinks they’re the best, they’re not the best until they beat me.”
In the chief support, Conor Wallace survived a scare against Dylan Colin, overcoming a suspected busted eardrum in the second round, as well as a wily opponent, to come away with a unanimous decision victory.
On the undercard, Tyler Blizzard outpointed domestic rival Rocky Ogden to claim the IBF Pan Pacific featherweight strap.
Earlier, young super middleweight Max McIntyre moved to 9-0 with a sixth-round knockout of Ricaia Warren.
The 20-year-old is developing into one Australia’s brightest prospects, with fights against fellow undefeated rising stars Kirra Ruston and Callum Peters surely on the horizon.
Here's how it all went down:
Jai Opetaia vs. Claudio Squeo live updates and highlights
Jai Opetaia stops game Claudio Squeo
Round 5: A right hook lands flush and rocks Squeo who goes to a knee and can't beat the count. That's it!
Round 4: To his credit, Squeo has exceeded most expectations of him to this point. Opetaia is earned for illegal holding after a body shot in the clinch. Opetaia gets on the offence after the restart. Two hooks wobble Squeo. The Italian backs up into a corner and Opetaia gets to work. The champ is in control but perhaps getting a touch reckless. 40-36 Opetaia
Round 3: Opetaia misses with a big left hand. Connects with a right hook shortly after. Squeo thunders a right hook into the guard. Opetaia gets a bit reckless after hurting Squeo and eats a right hand himself. Squeo is on a retreat a touch now. Opetaia slips and counters at the bell. 30-27 Opetaia
Round 2: Opetaia lands a sharp right hook counter. And then a lead uppercut as Squeo looks for a way in. Squeo puts his head on Opetaia's chest and fires away but the Aussie seems to welcome the challenge. 20-18 Opetaia
Round 1: Opetaia opens up with straight lefts. Single shots for the most part. Squeo briefly pushes him back and goes to the body. Opetaia is finding the target with his left but being patient for the most part. 10-9 Opetaia
Conor Wallace survives scare versus Dylan Colin
Light heavyweight star Conor Wallace did just enough to avoid disaster against $11 underdog Dylan Colin.
Wallace struggled to find a rhythm against the Frenchman, having to content himself with single shots amid some frenzied offence at times from his opponent.
Things got willing through the final rounds with both guys having bright moments but the cards fell Wallace's way in the end (77-75 x2, 78-74)
Tyler Blizzard defeats Rocky Ogden
Tyler Blizzard emerged successful following his domestic featherweight showdown with Rocky Ogden, claiming a wide points victory (99-91 x2, 98-92).
While the cards perhaps don't reflect the competitiveness of the fight, Blizzard landed the more damaging shots to help him on the way to the IBF Pan Pacific featherweight title.
Danny Keating too good for Blake Minto
A smart and sharp 10-round performance for Danny Keating was enough to earn him a unanimous points win (100-90 x3) over Blake Minto and the WBC Australasia title.
Max McIntyre wins battle of undefeated prospects
Max McIntyre improved to 9-0 with a sixth-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Ricaia Warren.
After a willing start from Warren, the 20-year-old McIntyre began to take control in the fourth round and tested out the chin of the Kiwi several times, before a right hand over the top sent his man flying back into the ropes and ended the fight.
THAT'S THE STOPPAGE FOR @MaxMoneyMc 💥#OpetaiaSqueo | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/VLOMN0wPE7
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 8, 2025
Austin Aokuso outguns Ike From Pluto
After a spiteful build-up, Austin Aokuso for the last laugh with a unanimous-decision victory (58-55, 60-53, 59-53)over Ikenna Enyi.
Aokuso dropped Enyi with a powerful left hand in the fifth round but, despite his best efforts (and a premature celebration) couldn't force the stoppage and had to settle for a points win.
Aokuso... clean as a whistle 👊#OpetaiaSqueo | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/8FXwn4cjEE
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 8, 2025
Mariah Turner wins ANBF featherweight title
Mariah Turner recorded a classy and hard-fought unanimous decision victory (77-75 x2, 80-72) over Leah Reuben.
Stepping up on late notice, Reuben had a good crack but Turner's skill and activity proved the difference.
Xavier Fletcher stops Alivereti Dodomo in the second
The "All-Terrain Fighter" improved to 6-0 with a dominant victory over Alivereti Dodomo.
Fletcher dropped Dodomo three times with body shots before a right hand upstairs sent him down and saw referee Chris Condon wave it off in the second round.
HUGE right hand from Xavier Fletcher closes the show 🥶#OpetaiaSqueo | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/I6pfiJlV9M
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 8, 2025
Jack Gregory defeats Matt Floyd
Matt " The Jedi" Floyd's mission to get a fight with Tommy Fury hit a snag when he was defeated via unanimous decision (40-36 x3) by Jack Gregory in the opener.
Gregory found plenty of success with the overhand right and managed to hold his own in the face of some aggressive in-fighting from Floyd.
How to watch Opetaia vs. Squeo
Opetaia vs. Squeo will be broadcast live globally on streaming platform DAZN.
WATCH: Opetaia vs. Squeo on DAZN
Opetaia vs. Squeo fight card
Bouts and order subject to change.
- Jai Opetaia vs. Claudio Squeo for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
- Conor Wallace def. Dylan Colin via UD8 (77-75 x2, 78-74)
- Tyler Blizzard def. Rocky Ogden via UD10 (99-91 x2, 98-92)
- Danny Keating def. Blake Minto via UD10 (100-90 x3)
- Max McIntyre def. Ricaia Warren via TKO6
- Austin Aokuso def. Ikenna Enyi via UD6 (58-55, 60-53, 59-53)
- Mariah Turner def. Leah Reuben via UD8 (77-75 x2, 80-72)
- Xavier Fletcher def. Alivereti Dodomo via TKO2
- Jack Gregory def. Matt Floyd via UD4 (40-36 x3)