Jai Opetaia will face mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara in Australia later this year after the two sides reached an agreement just hours before Tuesday’s scheduled purse bid.

Ring champion Opetaia had been ordered to fight the undefeated German by the IBF but the two sides had failed to make a deal.

As such, a purse bid had been scheduled for Tuesday, September 2 in New Jersey and, in the lead up to that date, it had been suggested that the undefeated champion might move to heavyweight instead of taking the fight with Cinkara.

Then, as reported by The Ring, a source in Australia even claimed that Opetaia could be about to pay Cinkara step-aside money so he could fight England’s former world champion Chris Billam-Smith instead.

But there will be no move to heavyweight nor a showdown with CBS just yet as Opetaia will now press ahead with the mandatory challenge of Cinkara (23-0, 19 KOs) with the exact date and venue still yet to be confirmed.

Hours before the bids were scheduled to be lodged in New Jersey, Opetaia’s Tasman Fighters promoters reached an agreement with Cinkara’s promoter Ahmet Oner. The southpaw will enjoy home advantage once again following successful defences against New Zealand’s David Nyika and Italian Claudio Squeo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach already this year.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his next move, Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) insists he has not missed a step in training. He said: “I’m already deep in preparation and ready to put on another exciting show. Cinkara is unbeaten and dangerous, but this is my time.

“I’ve been calling for unifications, but the other champions don’t seem to want it. First, I have to take care of Cinkara—and then we keep chasing those belts. One thing’s for sure: the titles are staying in Australia.”

Tasman Fighters director Mick Francis added: “Jai Opetaia is the best boxer in Australia and the number one cruiserweight in the world. His star keeps rising, and bringing this fight to Australia shows just how big he’s become. Fans can expect fireworks.”