IBF Orders Opetaia to Defend Title Against German Veteran

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has mandated 29-year-old IBF heavyweight champion (up to 90.7 kg) Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) to defend his title, according to The Ring.

The opponent for the Australian will be 39-year-old German boxer Huseyin Cinkara (22-0, 18 KOs). The sanctioning body has required both parties to begin negotiations for the mandatory title defense.

Opetaia regained his IBF title in May in a bout against Mairis Briedis (28-3, 20 KOs) and defended it on October 12, knocking out Jack Massey (22-3, 12 KOs) in the 6th round.

In April, Huseyin Cinkara stopped Armend Xhoxhaj (18-4, 9 KOs) by technical knockout in the 2nd round and became the official challenger for the IBF title.