The Australian returned to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre seeking a statement performance as he bids to move for cruiserweight unification after a mixed year.

But he was made to work for his victory against the durable German, who rocked him in the second round and forced him into deeper waters across a gritty, bruising encounter.

Opetaia finally found his way through with a cracking left hand, but speaking afterwards, the New South Wales native aired his frustration on his own display ahead of 2026.

"I'm disappointed in myself," he said afterwards. "I feel like I've let some people down with that performance. He came to fight, he boxed well. I'm so pissed off, but we got the win.

"I needed that humble pie. We want unifications fights. I'm chasing belts, I've been asking for them for a long time. We're gonna go back to the gym and sharpen up."

Questions continue to linger over IBF champion Opetaia's future in a division where chances for unification with Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez and Badou Jack appear immediately slim.

The star could well be persuaded to move up to heavyweight and chase bigger fights there after a year where he failed to secure a clash with one of his fellow title-holders.

Opetaia victory fails to answer future questions

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Jai Opetaia came in 2025 looking for those belts across the division - and he leaves it without having found them, frustrated in his attempts to strike for further gold.

After 'Zurdo' Ramirez dethroned Chris Billam-Smith in November last year, it seemed like the Australian would get his chance against the Mexican for his crown.

Instead, he has tangled with a succession of smaller challengers for his IBF crown, with Huseyin Cinkara ultimately the toughest test he has had on home turf.

A trio of fights in the Gold Coast has at the very least ensured Opetaia has fought in front of his passionate home fans rather than further afield and off his patch.

But now, he must seriously consider whether there is a future for unification inside the next year at cruiserweight - and if a move to heavyweight is in his best interests.

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