Jai Opetaia is on top form, and on top of the world, following his stunning fourth-round knockout of David Nyika on Wednesday in Australia. Now his promoter Eddie Hearn wants to push the Aussie ace into the two biggest fights possible, one at cruiserweight and one at heavyweight.
Following Opetaia’s crushing finish of Nyika on the Gold Coast, Hearn spoke about the potential for the Australian star to become a global superstar, by taking on and defeating reigning heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk made his name in the cruiserweight division as he unified the belts to become the division’s undisputed champion before moving up to heavyweight and repeating the feat in boxing’s biggest weight class.
Hearn sees similar potential in Opetaia, and talked up a possible clash between the pair a little further down the line.
“I think Jay’s humble enough, not yet, to talk about the name of Oleksandr Usyk. I’m not. That’s my job,” said Hearn.
“For me, Oleksandr Usyk is the greatest cruiserweight of all time. he became undisputed, then he moved to heavyweight to become undisputed at heavyweight.
“Jai’s going to pick up all the belts in the cruiserweight division to become undisputed. And then we want to push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk, to try to become undisputed at the heavyweight division as well.”
It’s a bold plan for a fighter who still hasn’t unified all of the belts in the cruiserweight division. But Hearn has huge confidence in Opetaia, who looked at his ruthless best as he starched the dangerous Nyika, who stepped in on short notice to challenge for Opetaia’s IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts earlier this week.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 👑 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄@jaiopetaia1 knocks David Nyika OUT COLD in the fourth 😳#OpetaiaNyika pic.twitter.com/EDRuaW7OUA
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 8, 2025
“You have to search for greatness. He’s good enough to do it,” stated Hearn.
“I believe he’s the only person right now in a division, cruiserweight or heavyweight, who can genuinely give Oleksandr Usyk a real, real fight. But to do it, we’ve got to pick up every belt in the cruiserweight division first to give him the credibility, and potentially the money from His Excellency (Turki Alalsheikh), to make Oleksandr Usyk get in the ring, one of the all-time greats.
“Trust me, in 12 to 18 months, Jai Opetaia against Oleksandr Usyk is an all-time classic, and why not do it at SunCorp Stadium in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast?”
🤞 @EddieHearn wants that @usykaa vs. @jaiopetaia1 fight in the future #OpetaiaNyika pic.twitter.com/oXmEhk4RaU
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 8, 2025
Before that bout can become a reality, Hearn wants to see Opetaia collect all of the belts at cruiserweight, and next on their hitlist is a unification bout with Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who added the WBO belt to his WBA title with a decision victory over England’s Chris Billam-Smith last November.
“Listen, it’s a tremendous fight. Zurdo is a wonderful fighter,” said Hearn.
“Oscar De La Hoya messaged me earlier to say he’s watching closely tonight. Oscar, if you’re watching, let’s make it happen. It’s the best fight in the division.
“I know His Excellency wants it. Let’s get it done in May. Jai Opetaia against Zurdo Ramirez for the unified championship. Two great fighters, great fight for boxing.”
