Yesterday, his nomination as the next challenger for the IBF cruiserweight world title, currently held by the formidable Australian boxer Jai Opetaia, sent shockwaves through Italian boxing fans. Today, Boxe Punch brings you this exclusive interview with Claudio Squeo, conducted just hours after the stunning news broke!
The boxer from Puglia, who will step into the ring on May 13 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia, is on the verge of fulfilling the dream of every athlete who has ever laced up a pair of gloves: fighting for the world championship belt.
During our conversation, Squeo spoke about his personal journey, his first steps in the gym, his role models, and how he plans to prepare for what is, without a doubt, the opportunity of a lifetime. So, let’s get to know better—through his own words—the courageous fighter from Molfetta, who, in a month and a half, will attempt to defy the odds and raise the Italian flag high.
The news of your fight against Opetaia came as a bolt from the blue for Italian boxing fans. How long have you known about it? How did you react when you were told you would be facing the world champion?
I was contacted by Tasman Fighters about a month ago. They offered me this world title shot, and to be honest, at first, I thought it was a joke. This year, I had a feeling that I would be fighting in a world final eliminator. I just felt it because I knew I had managed my career well—I took the right steps at the right time—so I was expecting a call for an eliminator. Last year, after suffering an injury, I had decided to move down a weight class, but that choice turned out to be impossible to maintain, as light heavyweight is not my ideal weight category in terms of muscle structure. So, I returned to cruiserweight and was planning to defend my IBF European title before receiving that fateful phone call.
Of course, fighting for the world title is every boxer’s dream, but you have to be smart enough to understand that such opportunities should only be taken if the conditions are right. When I realized the offer was solid, I accepted because I know my abilities, and I’m not going there just to make an appearance. Even though I had known for some time that I would be fighting for the world title, I couldn’t sleep last night after receiving official confirmation. Due to the time difference, I found out around 3 a.m., and I couldn’t get back to sleep because of the adrenaline rush.
In your opinion, why did Jai Opetaia and his team choose your name among the possible contenders for this title defense?
When you enter a federation’s rankings, you become eligible to be selected for a world title shot. Opetaia wants to make a voluntary defense of his belt, so he has to choose a fighter ranked in the top 15. Most likely, everyone ranked ahead of me turned it down—after all, we all know how good Opetaia is, and it’s not hard to see why no one wants to face him.
At what age did you step into a boxing gym for the first time, and what were your expectations?
As a teenager, I was an obese kid—I weighed around 130 kilos (286 lbs) at fourteen and was bullied and mocked by other boys. One day, I happened to watch the movie Cinderella Man, and the story fascinated me so much that it sparked my passion for boxing. At 15, I started training at a boxing gym against my mother’s wishes. I lost 35 kilos (77 lbs) in three or four months, and from there, my journey began. At first, no one would have bet a dime on me, but little by little, I managed to turn things around.
Do you remember what record you finished your amateur career with? What made you turn professional?
I think I had around seventy fights, but I don’t remember the exact number. As an amateur, I won the Italian Golden Glove and other important titles, was part of the national team, and competed in the World Series of Boxing. It was precisely after taking part in the WSB that I realized my path was in the pros because I was truly passionate about it.
Your fighting style is highly offensive, always seeking close-range exchanges. Will you stick to your usual approach against a killer like Jai Opetaia, or do you think you’ll need a more cautious strategy?
I’ll leave that to the ring to decide. We’ll only find out during the fight what kind of strategy I’ll adopt because, while a boxer can train with a specific game plan in mind, the reality of the ring dictates the dynamics of the fight.
Do you have any role models among the great champions of the past or present?
It may be a classic choice, but I can’t help but name Mike Tyson. Then there’s Sonny Liston, a boxer who has always fascinated me, and also David Tua. Among today’s fighters, I particularly like Artur Beterbiev and Canelo Alvarez.
Just over a year ago, you came out victorious in a tough match against Finland’s Niklas Rasanen, where you suffered a knockdown but staged an impressive comeback. What did that experience teach you, and how can it help you ahead of the big fight on May 13?
The fight against Rasanen was extremely tough because I took a shot to the ribs in the second round, and as you can imagine, going nine rounds with a cracked rib is pure agony. That fight taught me that, beyond power, I have other qualities as well. I learned that mental strength is crucial—you can win a fight even without arms if you have the right determination, and I am a very stubborn boxer.
Italy has several talented fighters in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, from Italian champion Jonathan Kogasso to the promising Cuban Angelo Morejon. Will you look to spar with these high-level athletes to prepare for Opetaia?
I’ll try to train with opponents who have similar characteristics to Opetaia. Sparring with a boxer who doesn’t possess those qualities would be completely pointless. Morejon is certainly a good fighter, but he’s a heavyweight. Among Italian cruisers, I have great respect for Fabio Turchi—everyone else is a few levels below in terms of talent. I admire Turchi a lot for his boxing career because he has fought against highly rated opponents. That said, while he is a southpaw, he doesn’t have the most suitable style to replicate Opetaia’s approach. I’ll look for someone who can truly prepare me for facing the Australian fighter.
As we wish you the best of luck, let’s wrap up with a traditional final question. On a scale of zero to one hundred, how much do you believe in pulling off the upset?
I see it as 50-50, because boxing is full of surprises. I have two arms just like he has two arms. Those who count me out don’t know Claudio Squeo.