Trump meeting, ‘pinch myself’ moment after Aussie boxer’s world flipped

Jai Opetaia’s move to join Zuffa Boxing earlier this year has unwittingly acted as a double-edged sword for the undefeated Australian superstar.

On one hand, Opetaia has been exposed to a lot more eyeballs – especially in the United States – rubbing shoulders with UFC champions, WWE legends and even Donald Trump as part of the Dana White-led and Saudi-backed promotion.

But on the flip side, the 31-year-old has been caught in the middle of political dramas that saw him stripped of his IBF cruiserweight title.

Those dramas will continue this weekend, when Opetaia meets WBC champ Noel Mikaelian in the co-main event of a blockbuster Las Vegas card.

Mikaelian will be stripped of the WBC gold as soon as the bell rings for their cruiserweight clash, as the sport’s traditional governing bodies attempt to put roadblocks in the path of fighters under the Zuffa umbrella.

Opetaia told nine.com.au last month legal battles and political issues have been “never-ending” since signing with Zuffa and admitted his frustration over the ongoing situation, as he searches for undisputed status in his division.

The tough Central Coast product is eyeing a 2027 showdown with David Benavidez, who holds two of the belts at cruiserweight and is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet.

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But before he can reach his true desire, Opetaia must contend with Mikaelian on Sunday afternoon (AEST) inside T-Mobile Arena.

Asked if he felt any added pressure being on such a huge card, headlined by Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn for the welterweight world title, Opetaia made it clear he was unfazed by his place on boxing’s biggest stages.

“Not really, this is just another day in the office for us,” he told nine.com.au.

“He’s a great fighter, he’s been a great champion for quite a while, and he’s got a lot of experience. He’s just another world champion that wants to prove himself. I’m expecting a war and to go into deep waters, and then we’ll see how he goes.

“Every fight I’ve had to prove myself and perform well, but I feel like what I’ve gotta prove has changed. I feel like coming up, it was proving I was the best. Now, people think that I am the best, so I have to do that again.

“Nothing has changed for us, we’ve been chasing these dreams for a long time and the only thing that’s changed is all the media and exposure we’re getting now ... everyone is paying attention, there’s a couple of big names floating around.

“Let’s bring it on, get in the ring and f---ing do it. Prep has been good, the body’s feeling good, and I’ve been ticking every box, so we’re pumped to go.”

While this weekend’s showdown in Sin City has some difficult circumstances surrounding it for both competitors, it does continue an unlikely rise for Opetaia.

From growing up in a small NSW town to fighting in front of millions of people, Opetaia’s decision to sign with Zuffa has grown his global status.

The proof was in the pudding when Opetaia was invited to attend the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House earlier this year.

Opetaia had the chance to sit cage side with UFC light-heavyweight champ Carlos Ulberg and meet the likes of WWE megastar Roman Reigns and Hall of Fame legend Paul “Triple H” Levesque – a moment he admitted ‘spun him out’.

While getting some extra exposure and growing his name in the US market since joining Zuffa can only be seen as a positive for Opetaia, it’s not lost on him how quickly that could all be taken away if results don’t go his way.

“Oh yeah, that White House card was an experience, that’s for sure – it was a ‘pinch myself’ moment, being there with superstars in the crowd,” he said.

“I was sitting next to Triple H and shit, just pinching myself and thinking ‘what the hell’. Little things like that were just spinning me out.

“I got to meet the president. I’m a f---ing dude from Watanobbi and I’m shaking hands with the president and taking photos with him, it’s crazy.

“Those sorts of things are just fruits of the labour – we know why we’re here, we’re here to fight and without fighting and winning, it all gets taken away.

“This stuff is all just a reward, and it all comes from the hard work we put in.”

The proud Australia-Samoan star will fly both flags high in Vegas when he walks out in front of a jam-packed crowd, streaming globally on DAZN and on Paramount+ in Australia.

But the external noise will matter little once the bell rings and Opetaia looks to improve his perfect 30-0 record, which includes 23 knockouts.

“This pressure is not new to us,” a defiant Opetaia said.

“Every time I step in the ring, I’ve always flown the Australian and Samoan flags, I’ve always had that weight on my shoulders and to be that kid from our neck of the woods representing and showing kids they can achieve greatness.

“This is just another stage and another ring we’ve gotta bash each other in.

“I’ve been fighting on big cards, I fought on the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undercard, I’ve fought all over Saudi Arabia, I was on the first Zuffa card.

“Every single fight I’ve had is important and this is just another chapter.”