Jai Opetaia Opponent Remains Hospitalized After Brutal KO Loss

Huseyin Cinkara suffered a brain contusion during his violent 8th-round KO loss

Cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia | IMAGO / AAP

Huseyin Cinkara's first world title fight against Jai Opetaia cost him more than he bargained for.

Although Cinkara pushed Opetaia further than many predicted, he ultimately succumbed to a ruthless eighth-round knockout loss. Two days after the fight, Cinkara remains hospitalized with a brain contusion, brain bleed, and a C1 vertebra fracture, Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger reported.

Huseyin Cinkara will be hospitalized for at least two days after he suffered a brain contusion, small brain bleed and fractured C1 vertebra during his eighth-round KO loss to Jai Opetaia, promoter Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters told @ringmagazine. pic.twitter.com/MTNYXBAPTM

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 8, 2025

Huseyin Cinkara's injury

The C1 vertebra fracture, commonly known as a Jefferson fracture, is a slight fracture in the neck. It is caused by "axial loading," according to the National Institutes of Health, which involves brute force applied to the neck.

The brute force, in this case, was Opetaia's left hand. The champion landed his one-punch knockout on a clean slip-and-counter from a straight cross from Cinkara.

Jefferson fractures can be life-threatening or cause paralysis, but Cinkara's condition is not considered that serious. He will not require any procedural work, according to Boxing News. His two-day hospital stay is purely for observation before they expect to release him.

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Cinkara was down on the canvas for several minutes after the knockout, but he managed to return to his feet and congratulate Opetaia for his victory. The German appeared to be in good spirits, despite the nature of his defeat.

Although Cinkara was credited with just 14 punches landed on Compubox, he impressed with his chin, durability, and heart. He became the first fighter to take Opetaia past the sixth round since the Aussie won the titles with a unanimous decision win over Mairis Breidis.

Jai Opetaia extends title reign with KO of Huseyin Cinkara

Jai Opetaia during the ceremonial grand arrivals at the Boulevard City Music World, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2024. | Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images.

Even with just 14 punches landed, Cinkara managed to bruise both of Opetaia's eyes. The champion's before-and-after photos displayed damage on his face for the first time in several fights, which also gave Cinkara's challenge more credence.

Opetaia improved to 29-0 with the win and collected his fifth consecutive defense of the IBF belt and his seventh defense of The Ring title. The 30-year-old is the only fighter ever to defend The Ring cruiserweight belt more than three times.

Cinkara falls to 23-1 after suffering his first professional defeat. 'The Hurricane' will turn 41 in January, putting his boxing future in jeopardy, particularly with his latest injuries.

With few champions as dominant as Opetaia, he enters 2026 without a definitive direction. A unification bout with WBA and WBO champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez lingers, but Opetaia has not expressed much interest in that matchup.

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