Jai Opetaia Eyes Legacy and Reveals the Opponent He ‘Would Love to Fight’

On Saturday, October 12, Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will meet Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) for the undisputed light heavyweight crown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On a stacked undercard, IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs) will return to action against Jack Massey (22-2, 12 KOs). The Sydney native has spoken to Sky Sports about his aim for the future, including a fighter he would love to face.

Jai Opetaia Defends Title Against Jack Massey on October 12

Jai Opetaia Reveals His Ambitions for a Legacy Fight

Opetaia has lofty ambitions for his future, starting with a win on October 12 against Massey: “We want to be the undisputed cruiserweight champion,” Opetaia told Sky Sports.

He continued: “We want to collect the belts and then we want to move up and collect more belts either the bridgerweight or the heavyweight.

Read More: Chris Billam-Smith Casts Doubt on Jai Opetaia’s Record Amid Fight Delay

“A three-division world champion sounds good,” added Opetaia.

The Australian insisted: “I am the best cruiserweight in the world.”

Looking ahead to October 12 and the importance of proving himself, Opetaia said: “It’s easy to say that stuff. I’ve just got to keep proving it. I’ve got to prove it again on the 12th and prove it my next fight and keep collecting these belts.”

Possible Heavyweight Move

29-year-old southpaw has sparred top heavyweight fighters, including Tyson Fury using him for sparring ahead of his memorable fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Looking back at the sparring sessions and hinting a possible move to heavweight, Opetaia said: “You’re rubbing shoulders with greatness.”

He continued: “Being there you learn a lot and it’s just all positive. We just keep levelling up everywhere we go.”

Revealing his belief he could compete at heavyweight: “I’ve mixed it up with a lot of big boys. I know I can mix it up there with them,” said Opetaia.

Read More: Beterbiev vs. Bivol: Predictions from Darren Barker, Joseph Parker, and Ariel Helwani

The Australian also spoke about his desire to face Usyk: “I would love to fight Usyk one day. It’s a fight that I’ll definitely be chasing. I’ve been around Usyk for a long time. We were both at the same Olympic Games [in 2012]. I was only young,” he said.

He added: “I’ve always been close. I’ve always been in the shadows. I feel like my opportunity’s getting closer and closer to being in there against him.”

Talking about his routine and goals, the heavy-handed Aussie said: “The goal’s never changed. We’ve been doing the same thing ever since I was a little kid. Train, eat, sleep on repeat.”

“It’s easy to say [stuff]. I’m trying to live it. I’m trying to train hard every day and just fight and prepare and do what I’ve got to do to prove it,” said Opetaia.”

Bivol vs. Beterbiev Full Fight Card

• Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol; For the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles
• Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweight
• Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke; For Wardley’s British heavyweight title
• Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey; For Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title
• Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron; Light heavyweight
• Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman; For Nicolson’s WBC women’s featherweight title
• Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez; Lightweight