The Australian will entertain the unbeaten Italian in the latest test of his credentials next month when he enjoys a homecoming bout on the Gold Coast against the star.

• Read more | Jai Opetaia vs Claudio Squeo: Date, start time, TV channel and live stream

Victory will see Opetaia retain his IBF title in a fractured division that currently is dominated by Ramirez, the incumbent WBA and WBO champion after he beat Chris Billam-Smith.

The former has been chasing a bout for the three belts for some time now, and admits he must defeat Squeo first to set it up, even as he is frustrated by a waiting game.

"There have bee talks [and] words," he said. "But I’ve also now heard a lot of talks, a lot of words. People saying this is possible, that can happen.

"But none of it matters unless I take care of business on June 8. So that’s what I’m locked in on. Honestly, man, I don’t have the answers. [I] wish I did, but I don’t."

"I’ve had the IBF and Ring belts for a long time now, and I’m trying to make these fights. But it’s been a circus. I see [his promoter] Oscar De La Hoya at all the boxing events.

"Every time, [I will] say ‘hey, when are we fighting? Let’s make it happen’. I’m always respectful about it. Oscar will say ‘yeah, yeah, we’ve got to make it happen’.

"Then, crickets. I have respect for Zurdo, and in no way am I going to sit here and badmouth any guy or say they’re a bad person.

"I’m not saying he’s an easy fight, either. But still my message to Zurdo is this: ‘You’re not the best cruiserweight in the world until you beat me’."

“Still, the fight has to come and it will. I’ve been chasing this guy a long time and my time will come. I have no doubts about that. So let’s make it happen."

A version of this story was originally published on Fox Sports.

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