Opetaia vs. Squeo Preview and Betting Odds

The IBF cruiserweight title will be on the line on Australian soil as local favorite Jai Opetaia defends it against a determined challenger in Italian fighter Claudio Squeo in the main event of the Return 2 Paradise card.

These are two experienced boxers who promise an exciting 12-round bout.

For the Australian, this will be his third defense of the world title, while for Squeo, it’s a golden opportunity to showcase his boxing skills beyond the borders of his native Italy.

Another intriguing fight on the card will feature Connor Wallace and Dylan Colin in the light heavyweight division.

Opetaia vs. Squeo Betting Odds and Info

Why bet on Jai Opetaia?

Jai Opetaia may not be a household name in the West, but he is one of the best boxers in the world, as his undefeated record clearly shows. He is currently ranked as the second-best cruiserweight in the sport.

At 29 years old, he holds a perfect record of 27 wins, with 21 of those coming by way of knockout. He has never lost or drawn a fight. In other words, he’s a dominant cruiserweight with an impressive 77.78% KO rate.

Regarding his fighting style, Opetaia is a southpaw known for his ability to adapt to his opponents. He’s explosive and technically refined.

He’s far from predictable in the ring, but one thing to watch for is his devastating left hook, which often catches his rivals off guard and breaks their rhythm.

Additionally, his jab not only helps him control the distance but also creates openings for powerful combinations. His lateral movement is another standout feature, making him very hard to hit cleanly.

To secure a victory in front of his home crowd, his keys will be to control the pace, wear down his opponent, and capitalize on the openings created by his solid defense.

Why bet on Claudio Squeo?

Just like his opponent, Claudio Squeo enters this fight with an undefeated record, although he has fought fewer bouts—he’s 17-0 with a knockout rate of 52.94%.

In his home country, he’s ranked as the top fighter in his weight class, but globally, he’s not as highly regarded, sitting at No. 63 in the world rankings.

That’s why this bout in Australia is a major opportunity for the 34-year-old to prove he can be a threat in one of boxing’s most exciting divisions.

Against Opetaia, this will be his first fight of the year. In 2024, he defeated Niklas Rasanen by unanimous decision and Orlando de Jesús Estrada via technical knockout.

‘The Red Bull’ will face the most important night of his career and will aim to showcase his skillset in the ring, relying on his orthodox stance and heavy hands.

The Italian can throw in volume and take punishment, making close-range exchanges his most effective means of winning the fight and claiming the cruiserweight title.

Although he’s far from the favorite, the European fighter has said he sees the match as an even contest: “Boxing is full of surprises,” he stated.

Final Betting Analysis: Jai Opetaia vs. Claudio Squeo

For boxing fans, this is a must-watch fight—it has all the ingredients to deliver. A knockout finish is highly likely, and the favorite to win has to be the defending champion, Opetaia, not just because he’s fighting at home but also because his fighting style makes him a very tough matchup for Squeo.

At Gambyl Exchange, we find that Jai Opetaia is the favorite of the match, with a Moneyline of -5000, while Claudio Squeo has odds of +1000.

Squeo is more aggressive than the defending champion, constantly pressing forward and closing the distance—potentially disrupting Opetaia’s rhythm.

However, we are confident in Opetaia’s defense and control to take the win in front of his home crowd.

Go for a straight win for Jai Opetaia in the Moneyline. If you bet $100 on the win at -5000, you will gain $2 for a total payout of $102.

Jai Opetaia vs. Claudio Squeo Betting Pick: Opetaia