“They may let Jai fight for the titles and unify the division, which is strictly what he desires to do,” Francis said in an interview with Boxing King Media.
The clarification is notable given public comments from Zuffa president Dana White, who has repeatedly stated that Zuffa Boxing plans to construct its own rankings and titles moderately than operate inside the present sanctioning-body structure.
Opetaia’s deal includes room for him to proceed chasing the remaining belts at cruiserweight.
Francis described the pliability as a key a part of getting the deal done, framing it as a shared interest moderately than a compromise.
“His personal brand will blow up and undergo the roof,” Francis said. “He desires to unify the titles. He wants someone to imagine in him, support him, and really get behind what he’s attempting to do.”
Opetaia, who’s unbeaten through 29 fights with 23 knockouts, already holds the IBF belt together with lineal recognition and The Ring title at cruiserweight. His signing with Zuffa was announced in mid-January, making him one in all the promotion’s first high-profile acquisitions ahead of its debut event on January 23.
Francis also indicated that Opetaia’s activity is not going to slow under the brand new arrangement, noting that two fights are already in place, with at the very least one expected to be announced soon.
For Zuffa, the agreement allows the promotion to showcase one in all the division’s most credible champions while still supporting his push toward undisputed status. For Opetaia, it keeps his profession moving within the direction he has been clear about since winning his first world title: collecting belts and settling the division within the ring.
