Promoter Eddie Hearn says his plan to maneuver Jai Opetaia into an enormous combat towards unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is to have Jai seize all of the belts at cruiserweight first.
Hearn desires Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) to observe the identical route that Usyk did by changing into the undisputed cruiserweight champion first earlier than transferring as much as heavyweight.
The time that it’ll take for Jai to spherical up the remaining three belts would possibly get in the way in which of him combating Usyk as a result of he’s 37, and he can’t wait round for 2 to 3 years. There’s additionally the likelihood that Usyk might lose to one of many contenders or get overwhelmed by IBF champion Daniel Dubois.
Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title tonight towards David Nyika in Australia. The combat will likely be proven stay on DAZN.
“I hear WBA mandatorys. Hopefully, there’s a method round that I feel it’s the perfect combat within the division,” stated Eddie Hearn to Chris Mannix’s YouTube channel about eager to make a unification combat between Jai Opetaia and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez subsequent at cruiserweight if Jai efficiently defends towards David Nyika on Wednesday evening in Australia.
“Lots of people are speaking about Opetaia towards Usyk. That’s an enormous construct, and I feel style-wise, it’s an amazing combat. The one method we are able to get some momentum for that combat is that if Jai can develop into undisputed at cruiserweight as a result of that’s what Usyk did.
“Usyk was undisputed at cruiserweight after which moved to heavyweight and have become undisputed. So, if Jai can win tomorrow, after which beat Zurdo Ramirez after which seize the WBC title. Then, we are able to begin calling out Oleksandr Usyk.
It doesn’t sound reasonable that Opetaia will have the ability to accumulate all of the titles at cruiserweight due to the time and the reluctance of the opposite champions. Turki Al-Shiekh might make it doable for Opetaia to get the fights towards the opposite three champions within the division, however whether or not he’ll or not is unknown.
“Most would agree it’s a terrific combat, however you’ve received to go some earlier than you begin calling this man out. It’s our plan down the road, however allow us to do our job and choose up the identical credentials that Oleksandr Usyk picked up. When you do, nobody can moan that we’re calling Usyk out as a result of Usyk did the identical. Get by means of tomorrow after which titles for Jai Opetaia,” stated Hearn.
