Jai Opetaia ‘Not Taking Jack Massey Lightly’ Despite Unification Disappointment
Jai Opetaia has admitted he is disappointed that his next fight is not for unification, but the IBF’s cruiserweight world champion insisted his opponent Jack Massey has his full attention.
Opetaia (25-0-0 19 KO) had been determined to fight a fellow title holder in his next bout, with his focus firmly on the WBO’s Chris Billam-Smith. An offer was sent to the British fighter, who ultimately turned it down, claiming the timing wasn’t right.
Instead, Opetaia will make the first defense of his second reign as IBF champion against Massey (22-2-0 12 KO) on October 12 as part of the undercard for the undisputed light-heavyweight clash between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitrii Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It is what is,” the Australian southpaw said. “Jack Massey has my full focus now. I was chasing those unification fights but we’re here now. Man, I’m not taking Massey likely. He’s coming to fight. I’ve prepared for 12 hard rounds, like I always do. I’m ready for war, let’s go.”
Opetaia may only hold one of the four 200-pound belts, but the 29-year-old is generally considered to be the top dog of the division. He first became world champion in July 2022 when he dethroned Mairis Briedis over 12 tough rounds, but after one title defense, he was stripped by the IBF for failing to fight the Latvian, who had become his mandatory challenger, in a rematch.
Opetaia opted instead for a money-spinning bout in Saudi Arabia in December 2023 against Ellis Zorro, whom he dominated within one round. The rematch with Briedis eventually took place in May for the vacant IBF title, acting as the co-main event to the undisputed heavyweight bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Opetaia emerged victorious once again to begin his second spell as world champion.
While Opetaia will be the comfortable favorite against Massey, the 31-year-old challenger will be no walkover. He is coming off the best performance of his career in June when he defeated Isaac Chamberlain, while in January 2023 he stepped up to heavyweight and pushed former world champion Joseph Parker the distance.
“Listen, this is what I do,” Massey said. “This is my job and I know how big this fight is, I plan to take it with both hands. I know I’ve got a tough fight ahead of me. I don’t just turn up for the money; I didn’t do that against Parker. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this fight.”
Their bout will be one of several exciting matchups on the undercard of Beterbiev v Bivol. Also taking place is the highly-anticipated rematch between British heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke after their first fight in March ended in a riveting draw.
Ben Whittaker, the fast-rising and exciting light-heavyweight prospect, will continue his professional journey against Liam Cameron, Skye Nicolson will defend her WBC women’s featherweight title against Raven Chapman, and Chris Eubank Jr returns to the ring in a super-middleweight contest with Kamil Szeremeta.
WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson was scheduled to defend his belt against Joe Cordina in the co-main event, but the American was forced to withdraw after sustaining a hand injury in training. Eubank v Szeremeta has now been promoted to co-main.
