Leading cruiserweight titlist Jai Opetaia is among the names of potential opponents for world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk following the Ukrainian’s rematch victory over Tyson Fury – but the Aussie has identified Moses Itauma as the future of the division.
Opetaia, 26-0 (20 KOs), takes on David Nyika on January 8 in a defense of his IBF strap and was used by Fury as he prepared for Usyk again. Alongside Opetaia in that camp, also doing Usyk impressions, was Itauma.
“He’s a great fighter,” Opetaia said of the prospect when talking to Queensberry. “He was in the camp when I sparred Fury, he was one of the southpaws. The kid’s good, he’s only young. It’s going to be good to see his progress and for him to reach the top and I’m sure he will.”
On last night’s undercard, the 11-0 (9 KOs) Itauma aced what looked beforehand like his toughest test when fringe contender Demsey McKean was stopped in the opening round.
“He’s only 19,” Opetaia continued. “He’s got the world at his feet.”
Opetaia has also sparred Nyika, his next opponent, in the past.
“It’s a good fight, I’ve done a lot of rounds with him and they’ve been competitive rounds. But sparring is sparring and fighting is fighting. I feel like I’m a different beast when I fight. When the fight comes I’ve got a job to do; winning is a must.”
With almost everyone expecting Opetaia to defeat Nyika, talk naturally comes to what’s next. Gilberto Ramirez holds the other three titles so an undisputed showdown is a natural – but a jump to heavyweight has long been mentioned.
“When that chapter comes, it comes,” Opetaia said. “At the moment I’m fully focused on collecting the belts as a cruiserweight and then once I’ve done that, we can start talking about the heavyweight division.”
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