‘Everyone else second’: Aussie pound-for-pound king confirmed by boxing elite

CODE Sports reached out to a who’s who of past and present boxers for their Australian pound-for-pound lists. One name came out on top unanimously.

He’s Australia’s only current male world champion, and Jai Opetaia has officially been labelled the country’s best pound-for-pound boxer.

The cruiserweight king defends his IBF and Ring Magazine crowns against Italian Claudio Squeo on the Gold Coast on Sunday, and the 29-year-old has been crowned the country’s best by a collection of current and former fighters.

CODE Sports reached out to a who’s who of Aussie boxing including Tim Tszyu, Liam Paro, Liam Wilson, Conor Wallace, Andrew Moloney, Anthony Mundine and Danny Green and all of them immediately ranked Opetaia as Australia’s pound-for-pound king.

Opetaia has been named Australia’s best boxer by a collection of other fighters. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“He’s earned that, for sure,” Tszyu told CODE Sports. “It’s Jai number one, and everyone else is number two.

“Jai’s at top spot though.”

Former IBF super-lightweight world champion Paro, who returns to action in Cairns on June 25, agreed.

“You can’t go past Opetaia at number one,” he said. “I’m gonna be biased and put myself at number two. I think that’s fair.”

Green and Mundine don’t agree on much, but they’re united in naming Opetaia as the country’s best.

“Jai’s number one, he’s the leading light,” Green said. “He’s the best fighter we have in this country.

“He’s on the world stage too, not just Australia.”

Mundine adds: “Jai’s leading the way. He’s the number one, for sure. Can’t argue with that.”

Opetaia is coming off a savage stoppage win over David Nyika. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Opetaia is a perfect 27-0, with 21 knockouts including back-to-back stoppages in world title defences.

He’s looking to make it three in a row this Sunday against the 17-0 Squeo, who has never fought outside Italy before.

Opetaia is genuinely taken aback when CODE Sports tells him his fellow fighters see him as the country’s best boxer.

“That’s awesome, bro. To get respect off the boys like that, it’s actually a good feeling,” the understated Opetaia said. “I actually respect their opinions.

“They’re world class fighters, they’ve been on the world stage themselves.

“It’s pretty cool, man.”

Opetaia first won the IBF title fighting through a broken jaw in a heroic win over Mairis Briedis in 2022, before relinquishing the belt as a result of boxing politics.

Opetaia with his Ring Magazine and IBF titles. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

He won it back in another decision victory over Briedis last year, and has become a favourite of boxing’s new king-maker, the Saudi Arabian Turki Alalshikh.

A win this weekend could set Opetaia up with a unification blockbuster against Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez later this year in a fight that could fall on the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez undercard.

Maintaining his steely focus, Opetaia won’t be drawn into a conversation about future fights, but pays his respect to the current crop of Australian stars.

“I’ve always showed respect to those boys as well,” he said. “I reckon there’s enough out there for us to all win.

“I’m in not this sport to compete against anyone who’s not on the other side of the ring.

“To have that respect back and to cop that love, it’s awesome.

“I’m proud of that.

“But it all means nothing if I don’t win on Sunday.”

Opetaia could set up a cruiserweight unification bout with a win this weekend. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Aussie boxers name their pound-for-pound top five fighters in the country

Tim Tszyu

“Jai’s at top spot.

“I’d have Liam Paro, myself, maybe Nikita Tszyu and (Justis) Huni.”

Liam Paro 

“You can’t go past Opetaia at number one.

“I’m gonna be biased and put myself at number two. I think that’s fair.”

“Then Tim Tszyu. You’ve gotta put George Kambosos in there, and Liam Wilson.”

Liam Wilson

“Jai Opetaia, pound-for-pound number one for sure.

“Liam Paro second, then Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa.

“And, just to be nice, I’ll have to chuck George Kambosos in there. Chuck him in there.

“I’m climbing, though. I haven’t earned my stripes yet.”

Tim Tszyu rates Opetaia as Australia’s no.1 pound-for-pound boxer, with himself second. Picture: Melina Pizano/Getty Images

Sam Goodman

“Jai for sure number one. I’d have Liam Paro at two and Tim at three.

“Can I put myself in? (Of course). Myself at four, and I’m tossing up between the Moloneys as well. I’ll have to go Andrew.”

Conor Wallace

“Jai’s number one, for sure.

“Then you’d have Tim (Tszyu) and Liam Paro. The Moloney brothers would be up there.

“I do like guys who knock people out.”

Andrew Moloney

“Jai for sure. I’ve gotta have myself and (twin brother) Jason in there too.

“Tim Tszyu as well. Then Liam Paro and George Kambosos. Maybe Kambosos just based off what he’s done.”

Aussie boxing royalty, Danny Green and Anthony Mundine both rate Jai Opetaia highly. Picture: Sarah Reed

Danny Green

“Jai’s number one, he’s the leading light. He’s the best fighter we have in this country.

“He’s on the world stage too, not just Australia.

“I can’t even rank the next four. Tim’s gotta be up there. It’s hard to look past what he’s done, and what he wants to do.

“Liam Paro, Sam Goodman’s gotta be pushing – he just hasn’t had the opponent to help him shine.

“Kambosos has to be up there, purely because he’s getting these big fights. He’s in my top five.

“And the Moloney brothers too.”

Anthony Mundine

“Jai’s leading the way. He’s number one. I’d put Paro or Kambosos at two and three. And Tszyu number four.”

Originally published as ‘Everyone else second’: Aussie pound-for-pound king confirmed by boxing elite