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Record : PRO DEBUT
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By Robert Hill
Australia’s Jai Opetaia could make a sensational move to heavyweight boxing, with a potential showdown against former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder reportedly being explored for the undercard of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster clash in Cardiff. According to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, discussions are taking place about adding the fight to the December 11 event (December 12 AEDT). This has also been circulating on Zuffa socials.
The bout is yet to be confirmed, but it would give Opetaia a high-profile opponent for his potential heavyweight debut. And it would be a serious test.
Wilder remains one of boxing’s most feared punchers, with his devastating right hand responsible for many of his biggest victories. A clash with Opetaia would pit the American’s explosive power against the Australian’s speed, movement and sharp southpaw attack.
For Opetaia, it would be an opportunity to make an immediate statement on the world stage against one of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing. The proposed fight would add further intrigue to a card headlined by Fury and Joshua at Principality Stadium, with the event set to attract a global audience.
However, a move to heavyweight would come while Opetaia still has unfinished business in the cruiserweight division. The Australian has repeatedly stated that becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion remains his priority, despite ongoing difficulties securing the unification fights he has been chasing.
Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in the ninth round in September, but the WBC title was not at stake after the sanctioning body stripped Mikaelian of the belt before the fight. That followed Opetaia losing his IBF title in connection with his March bout against Brandon Glanton.
“I’m chasing the belts,” Opetaia told The Ring last month. “I’ve been chasing these unification fights for so long.”
Meanwhile, another potential obstacle has emerged in Opetaia’s pursuit of undisputed status, with David Benavidez declaring he will target heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk if his planned showdown with the Australian fails to materialise. The two cruiserweight stars have been targeting a fight over Cinco de Mayo weekend next year, but Benavidez has made it clear he has another major opponent in mind.
“If we can’t get that fight on Cinco de Mayo with Jai Opetaia, then we’ll do Usyk,” Benavidez told Inside The Ring.
Benavidez will first face Michal Cieslak in December as he attempts to add the WBC cruiserweight title to his existing WBA and WBO belts. A victory would potentially put three major titles on the line for a showdown with Opetaia, giving the Australian an opportunity to take a significant step towards his long-held goal of becoming undisputed champion.
Whether Opetaia chooses to pursue that objective or entertain a blockbuster heavyweight clash with Wilder remains to be seen. Either way, the Australian could be approaching a defining period in his career.
Jino Rodrigo has been in outstanding form of late, exuding a brand of violence that is equal parts shock and awe, and no doubt his secret to it all :
TRAIN HARD - STAY BUSY !!
Jino has also taken his most recent fights in the United States on very short notice against top opposition, and this Sunday he continues on that path tackling his most formidable task yet !
Standing in his way will be World #1 amateur and recent Golden Boy signing Ruslan Abdullaev !!
Yes, you heard right.
Golden Boy.
They love to protect their new signings, and extremely LATE CALL UPS is one of their most common tricks to make sure an opponent is way below their best.
That said, Jino Rodrigo has stayed in shape since a very recent knockout performance in March, and he's more than grateful to get the fight with hot prospect Ruslan Abdullaev.
So here's how they line up :
Fight Night Alert: Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Jino Rodrigo – This Saturday on DAZN
All eyes turn to Oceanside, California this Saturday, April 19, as world number one amateur-turned-pro Ruslan Abdullaev steps into the ring for his second professional bout at Frontwave Arena — broadcast live worldwide on DAZN from 5 PM PT.
The 2024 Uzbekistan Olympian made waves in his pro debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, delivering a clinical second-round knockout against Jose Alvarado. Abdullaev’s speed, precision, and composure were on full display, making it clear: the amateur king is now hunting crowns in the pro ranks.
But standing in his way is Jino Rodrigo, a dangerous late replacement from the Philippines who’s far from just filling a slot.
Rodrigo has quietly built a reputation as a fight-finisher — winning 4 of his last 5 by stoppage.
His only recent loss came against red-hot contender Elvis Rodriguez, and even then, Rodrigo dropped Rodriguez early and had him reeling before losing a close decision.
He’s been staying sharp, and with nothing to lose, he’s coming to shock the boxing world.
The stage is set:
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 5 PM PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
Live Stream: DAZN (Worldwide)
Joey Canoy meets Sam Minh Phat !!
JOEY CANOY (The Babyface)
Record: 23 Wins – 5 Losses – 2 Draws
Knockouts: 14 KOs (60.87% KO rate)
Ranking: #13 in the world / #4 in the Philippines
Career: 2012 – 2024
Age: 31
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: General Santos City, Philippines
Total Bouts: 32 (189 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2024-12-27: Def. Ariston Aton (W-UD 8/8)
2024-08-30: Def. Jonathan Refugio (W-RTD 5/12)
2024-07-11: Def. Pablito Balidio (W-KO 1/8)
2023-07-12: Def. Clyde Azarcon (W-TKO 4/8)
2022-12-04: Def. Kenichi Horikawa (W-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Canoy is an experienced and battle-tested fighter, with over a decade in the sport and nearly 200 rounds under his belt. He has faced tougher opposition, including veterans like Kenichi Horikawa, and is riding a strong win streak. His southpaw stance adds a tactical dimension, often challenging for orthodox opponents. He blends power with durability, having only been stopped twice in 32 fights.
SAM MINH PHAT (Leopard Kim)
Record: 10 Wins – 5 Losses – 0 Draws
Knockouts: 8 KOs (80% KO rate)
Ranking: #67 in the world / #1 in Vietnam
Career: 2017 – 2025
Age: 30
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Total Bouts: 15 (67 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2025-02-20: Def. Ne Lin Aung (W-TKO 2/6)
2023-07-15: Lost to DianXing Zhu (L-RTD 9/10)
2022-07-30: Def. Heri Purnomo (W-TKO 2/8)
2022-04-23: Def. Le Dieu Phuoc (W-TKO 5/6)
2021-10-23: Lost to ArAr Andales (L-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Sam Minh Phat is an explosive, aggressive puncher with a high KO ratio. Despite only 15 professional bouts, his fights tend to end early, showing that he thrives on fast starts and power shots. However, his losses to more seasoned opponents (like ArAr Andales) expose vulnerabilities in stamina and ring IQ against experienced fighters. He’s a rising star in Vietnam but hasn’t yet proven himself consistently at the international level.
Head-to-Head Outlook:
Joey Canoy holds the edge in experience, durability, and fight craft. While Sam Minh Phat boasts impressive KO power, he’s largely untested against world-ranked opposition, with the exception of Chinese #1 Zhu DianXing.
Canoy’s southpaw stance and savvy approach would likely neutralize Phat’s early pressure, wearing him down in later rounds. If the fight goes deep, Canoy becomes the clear favorite. If Phat can land big early, he is a huge chance to pull the win. If not, he’ll struggle to keep up with Canoy’s pace and discipline.
Great and intriguing fight !!
