Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramírez is not entirely impressed by the career credentials of The Ring and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who ousted the outmatched Claudio Squeo on Sunday in Australia with a fifth-round knockout and called out the WBA and WBO champion Ramirez right after for a title unification bout.

"He did what he was supposed to do against Squeo, fighting another B/C level opponent," Ramirez told The Ring. "Typical Jai style, it was just another day in the office. It's nothing new, that's been the story of his career. There's a reason why he's only known in his local circuit down there in Australia. Hopefully, he can find some better opponents to grow his skills and marketability."

Outside of his pair of unanimous decision wins against Mairis Briedis, Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) has crushed contenders like David Nyika, Jack Massey, Ellis Zorro, and Jordan Thompson by knockout, all inside six rounds, over the last three years.

"He's not someone I've paid too much attention to until recently when my team brought him up to me," said Ramirez. "The fight has potential, but however you dissect it, the outcome will be the same, with me being victorious. I'm the unified world champion and the absolute best cruiserweight in the world. The fight can happen soon. And if the fight does happen, I will hold him accountable for offering half his purse and the fight to be in Las Vegas."

Opetaia is so adamant about making the Ramirez fight happen that he’s even been open to the idea of taking a pay cut.

In the meantime, Ramírez (47-1, 30 KOs) is getting ready for his June 28 title defense against Yuniel Dorticos after having taken the belts away from Chris Billam-Smith and Arsen Goulamirian in 2024. The 16-year veteran and former super middleweight title holder Ramírez also has wins against the likes of Arthur Abraham, Joe Smith Jr., Sullivan Barrera, and Jesse Hart (twice) and plans to campaign at heavyweight before calling it a career.

"I've worked extremely hard to be in the position that I am in today and have to consider all my options," said Ramirez. "I do this for my country and the Mexican people, and continue to make history as the first Mexican boxer to achieve these accolades as a cruiserweight champion. I've been clear that I want the best fights possible, and those are against Oleksandr Usyk, David Benavidez, [WBC champion] Badou Jack, or Opetaia."