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Eddie Hearn says IBF heavyweight champion Jay Opetaia will potentially challenge Oleksandr Usyka for his heavyweight titles in “12 to 18 months” with the help of “money from” Turki Al-Shieh.
Hearn revealed that the plan was to increase Opetaia’s “credibility” by becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion by first winning the WBA, WBC and WBO belts from Gilbert ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Badou Jack. Once Opetaja (27-0, 21 KOs) does that, he’ll move up to heavyweight to challenge Usyk for his belts if someone doesn’t retire him or beat him first.
Skipping the line?
There’s something disgusting about Opetaia getting a title shot in his first heavyweight fight without at least fighting a title eliminator or one of the top contenders waiting to compete for a world title. When a fighter gets a direct title shot without even competing in a division, boxing seems less like a real sport and more about popularity and money.
As good as Opetaia looked Wednesday night, knocking out David Najika (10-1, 9 KOs) in the fourth round at the Gold Coast Convention Center, Broadbeach, in Queensland, Australia, it’s hard to imagine him defeating heavyweight contenders such as is Martin Bakole.
18-month plan
“Jay is going to collect all the heavyweight belts to become undisputed and then we want to push him into the heavyweight fight against Alexander Usyk to try and become undisputed,” Eddie Hearn said. DAZNtalking about wanting Jay Opetaia to collect all the cruiserweight titles and then move up to heavyweight to do the same up there.
“I believe he is the only person in cruiserweight or heavyweight who can really give Aleksandr Usyk a real, real fight, but to do that we first have to pick up every cruiserweight belt to give him credibility and money from His Excellency.” for Oleksandr Usyk to enter the ring.
Trust me, in 12 to 18 months, Jai Opetaia vs. Alexander Usyk is an all-time classic,” Hearn said.
Opetaia could be undone when he joins WBA and WBO heavyweight champion ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs). It’s a big step up from Niik and the faded Mairis Briedis. He could lose to Zurdo, which would spoil Hearn’s vision of him moving toward challenging Usyk.
In Usik’s case. He may retire soon or be beaten by IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Usyk will not wait for Opetaja to collect all the heavyweight belts before fighting again. He will remain active, and one of the obvious fights that could happen is a rematch with Dubois.
Oleksandr was lucky not to get knocked out in their fight on August 26, 2023. He was knocked out with what appeared to be a legal body shot, but the referee called it a low blow. Replays showed it was on the belt line. Dubois will focus on Usik’s body in the rematch, knowing he is weak there.
