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Eddie Hearn says IBF cruiserweight champion Jay Opetaya could challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the heavyweight world title.12 to 18 months With the help of Turki al-Shik “the money”.
According to Hearn, the plan is to take the WBA, WBC and WBO belts from Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Empty Jack to boost Opatija’s credibility by making him the first undisputed cruiserweight champion. Once Opetaya (27-0, 21 KOs) does that, he’ll move up to heavyweight to challenge Usyk for the belt if he doesn’t retire or get knocked out by someone.
Are you jumping the line?
Opetaia being awarded a title shot in his first fight at heavyweight has something to do with whether he is at least a title eliminator or one of the top contenders waiting to challenge for a world title. When a fighter gets a direct title shot without even competing in the first division, boxing looks like a real sport and only about fame and money.
While Opetaya looked good on Wednesday night, it’s hard to imagine David Nikan (10-1, 9 KOs) defeating a heavyweight contender like Martin Bacall in the fourth round at the Gold Coast Convention Center Broadbeach in Queensland, Australia. .
18-month plan
“Jai is going to collect all the belts at cruiserweight, and then we want to push him to fight Oleksandr Usyk in the heavyweight division to try and make him undisputed,” Eddie Hearn said. DAZNtalking about wanting Jai Opetaia to collect all the titles at cruiserweight and move up to heavyweight to do the same there.
“I believe he’s the only one who can give Oleksandr Usyk a real, real fight at cruiserweight or heavyweight, but to do that, we have to lift all the belts at cruiserweight first and give your lordship the money to get Oleksandr Usyk in the ring.
“Believe me, in 12 to 18 months, Jai Opetaia will be the greatest of all time against Oleksandr Usyk,” Hearn said.
Opetaya could be reversed when he takes on WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs). That’s a big step up from the likes of Nika and the faded Mairis Briedis. He could lose to Zurdo, which would spoil the prospect of Hearn moving up to challenge Usyk.
In the case of Usyk. He could retire soon or be beaten by IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Opetaya won’t wait for Usyk to collect all the belts at cruiserweight before fighting again. He remains active, and one of the obvious conflicts that could happen next is a reunion with DuBois.
Oleksandr He was lucky not to lose his fight on August 26, 2023. He was denied by what looked like a legitimate shot, but the referee called it a low kick. Repeats showed it was on the belt line. Dubois will focus on Usyk’s body in the rematch, knowing he is weak there.
