Written in the stars, Jack Massey ready to make the most of shot at Jai Opetaia

Jack Massey has learned to never switch off his phone. 

In the winter of 2022, the former IBO cruiserweight champion was inactive and avoided. He was working up a scaffold when his manager, Kevin Maree, called offering him a fight with Joseph Parker at heavyweight. Despite being in between trainers, Massey leapt at the opportunity and put in a solid display, dragging the former WBO heavyweight champion the 10-round distance and losing a competitive decision.

Rather than inserting him back into the mix for some big fights at 200lbs, the performance rendered him pretty much invisible to the rest of his cruiserweight rivals.

Massey, 22-2 (12 KOs), buckled down and determined to make the most of the next major chance that came his way. He had to wait 17 long months.

Earlier this year, Massey was grinding away at Champs Camp gym in Manchester, getting useful but thankless rounds in with his new gym mate, Lawrence Okolie, when the phone rang again. Injury had forced Michal Cieslak out of a European title fight with Isaac Chamberlain and Massey had been offered the chance to step in. 

This time, Massey seized his moment, digging in and outfighting Chamberlain down the stretch to win an excellent fight and become the new Commonwealth and European champion. 

The latest call wasn’t quite as unexpected but Massey still felt a surge of excitement when he saw his phone light up. 

On October 12, he will travel to Saudi Arabia to challenge Australia’s Jai Opetaia, 25-0 (19 KOs) for the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles. 

“We were in talks probably for a couple of weeks and there were a few other names getting mentioned,” Massey told BoxingScene. “Chris Billam-Smith was dragging his feet. Obviously, he [Opetaia] would have wanted that to unify but he was dragging his feet and I think there was another person. But I knew it would happen. Neither of us fuck about. He’s sort of like, ‘If I can’t get who I want, I’ll take whoever’s next.’ He’s taken Ellis Zorro and he’s taken Jordan Thompson.

“So, I kind of knew it would happen and that it would be made pretty easy because he likes to fight, and I’m not shy of just getting in there and fighting. It’s some opportunity.”

In the weeks before the fight with Massey being announced, Opetaia consistently called for a unification fight with WBO champion, Billam-Smith. As arguably the biggest ticket seller in the cruiserweight division, the man from Bournemouth does hold a considerable amount of sway and can afford to stand his ground in negotiations and he decided to explore other options. A meeting with Mexico’s WBA champion, Gilberto Ramirez, is believed to be his priority. 

Massey was more than happy to be second choice behind Billam-Smith and wasn’t caught unawares by his British rival’s decision.

“No, I think he wants to keep hold of the belt as long as possible, doesn’t he? It’s always about getting as much money and keeping hold of the belt for as long as possible. I think deep down he knows that he would have been losing that belt to Opetaia. I think he was probably trying for ridiculous amounts of money,” he said.

“I think Shane McGuigan [Billam-Smith’s trainer], says he sells out Bournemouth and he’s been on good paydays. I think the Saudis are reining it in a little bit more with the wages and stuff.

“I think they were expecting to get absolute fortunes. They probably had a number in their head and they probably weren’t satisfied with what they returned with. So, that’s probably why they pulled out of it.”

Massey will be well paid for his efforts but, at 31 years old, he has more reasons to fight than ever before. He recently got married and, last year, he and his partner, Amber, welcomed a long-hoped for daughter into the world.

The moment he has spent his whole life working towards is rapidly approaching and experience has taught Massey that he has to make the most of it. He is treating the whole affair as an opportunity to change his life rather than a life changing opportunity.

Yes, walking out to fight for the world title on such a grand stage will be a special moment but, if he sinks without trace afterwards, that is all it will ever be.

Massey knows that fighting Opetaia provides him with the chance to make himself a fixture at the top of the cruiserweight division and set himself up for many more similar moments. He is determined to take it. 

“People know me. I don’t turn up for a payday. I’m doing this to win, to change my life. I’m not thinking of the money now. I’m thinking of the rewards after winning this fight. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

“I’ve been in the game a long time and I feel that I fully deserve it.

“It wasn’t long ago when we were talking about all this and how it was mad that the European and Commonwealth titles were coming up and how it was sort of written in the stars. We’ve won that, and now we’re here.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79