How Jake Paul could spoil Jai Opetaia's cruiserweight unification plans

The path for a Jai Opetaia (28-0) cruiserweight unification bout appears to be clear after Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez’s (48-1) win over Yuniel Dorticos.

Australia’s Opetaia currently holds the IBF and The Ring titles at 200-pounds, while Ramirez defended his WBA and WBO  titles against Cuba’s Dorticos in Anaheim, California over the weekend.

A meeting between the pair is widely considered the best fight to make in the division.

MORE: Is it time for Jake Paul to be taken seriously as a boxer?

Following his unanimous-decision victory over Dorticos, Zurdo confirmed his willingness to face the destructive southpaw next.

“Yeah, that’s the fight that I want. I’m the king. Numero uno!” the Mexican told DAZN in the ring after the fight, before addressing Opetaia.

“Make sure you get my phone number and call me, because I don’t have my phone and no one called me. Be ready.”

That public declaration will be music to the ears of Opetaia, who is growing impatient in his pursuit of the other world title belts since first collecting the IBF strap nearly three years ago.

“Ramirez put on a good performance against Dorticos, but if he really believes he’s the number one, then there’s only one way to prove it,” he said in a statement.

“I’m sick of all the excuses and the delays. None of these other champions have been in a hurry to face me, but the time has come. Let’s unify the division once and for all.

“I respect what Ramirez has accomplished, but I know I’m on another level. I’ve beaten world-class fighters, I’ve defended my titles, and I’m ready to collect more belts. 

“If Ramirez has the courage to step up, I’ll show the world why I’m the real champion.”

However, the potential wildcard in the matter is Jake Paul (12-1), who defeated a 40-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the main event in Anaheim.

Following his victory, Paul listed Ramirez as a potential future opponent and the pair faced off backstage after their respective fights.

Notably, Paul also named Badou Jack, who holds the WBC belt at cruiserweight title, as an option, leaving Opetaia as the division’s only champion he didn’t mention.

Unfortunately for Opetaia, a fight with the social media star would prove far more lucrative, while being significantly less dangerous for Zurdo and Jack.

Prior to his fight with Chavez Jr., the WBA confirmed that a win would earn Paul a spot in their rankings

While the victory over Dorticos took care of a mandatory challenger for Ramirez, a top-15 ranking for Paul makes him eligible as a challenger for a voluntary title defence.

Ramirez would likely start as an underdog against Opetaia, while he’d be considered a hot favourite against Paul.

Would he risk losing out on the Paul payday by putting his belts on the line against Opetaia?

Long a favourite of Turki Alalshikh, Opetaia may boxing's newest kingmaker and his Saudi millions to convince Zurdo to come tp the party.