Jai Opetaia’s Right Hook Ended Squeo’s Cruiserweight
Jai Opetaia stopped Claudio Squeo in the fifth round on June 8, 2025, retaining his IBF and Ring cruiserweight championships. The contest at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia ended after a right hook sent the challenger down for the count.
The champion built pressure after an exploratory start
Opetaia initially assessed Squeo’s rhythm while the challenger found occasional opportunities with his right hand. The Australian then advanced more forcefully, combining left-handed body attacks with hooks to the head.
Squeo remained involved but struggled to discourage that pressure. Opetaia increasingly controlled the exchanges as his power and ability to connect at different levels became more influential.
A fifth-round knockdown settled the contest
Early in the fifth, Opetaia connected with a right hook that left Squeo on one knee. The challenger remained down through the count, completing the stoppage.
The victory extended Opetaia’s professional record to twenty-eight wins without defeat, including twenty-two knockouts. His championships remained intact after another successful defense in front of a home-region audience.
Unification remained the stated goal afterward
Opetaia used his post-fight remarks to seek a meeting with Gilberto Ramírez, who held the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. Ramírez was then preparing to face Yuniel Dorticos later that month.
Those proposed negotiations were separate from the completed Squeo defense. Opetaia had fulfilled the immediate assignment through a decisive fifth-round finish and continued pursuing the opportunity to combine his championship with other major belts.
Sources
- Matchroom: June 8 event and IBF and Ring championships
- The Ring: exchanges, right-hook finish, record and Ramírez callout
- ABC: Gold Coast venue and championship result
