Undefeated world champion seeks heavyweight move after Usyk fight: “I have the style to beat him”

Oleksandr Usyk repeated a feat in the ring that only Evander Holyfield had achieved before him.

After his Olympic gold victory and his professional career, the Ukrainian cruiserweight made the jump and beat Krzysztof Głowacki, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev to become undisputed champion. After a divisional farewell fight against Tony Bellew, he moved up to heavyweight.

A win over Anthony Joshua made him unified champion and two successful defenses – a rematch with “AJ” and a mandatory challenge from Daniel Dubois – set him up to face Tyson Fury for the final belt. He won by split decision.

Many have wondered what's next for Usyk if he wins and decides to keep fighting. The man himself has toyed with the idea of ​​returning to the 200-pound class.

Speaking to talkSPORT, reigning IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia – who has said in the past that his ultimate plan is to move up like the Ukrainian – said he would love the fight.

“With all due respect, I would like to share the ring with him. When I fought in the Olympics here in London, he won the division I was in. I was always close to the front, I was always in the dark corner just scratching and scratching and waiting for my chances. I would love to fight a fighter like that and I feel like I have the style to beat him.”

The 29-year-old Opetaia's recent and rapid rise in the cruiserweight division peaked after Usyk moved up to heavyweight. Although the pair were not expected to fight at the time, there is little doubt that it would be a treat for fans and a technical duel of an extremely high level – the fearless aggression of Opetaia in the fight against the elite movement and the gas tank by Usyk.

As a testament to Opetaia's skills, Fury even invited the southpaw to his camp for sparring to emulate Usyk, although he left early due to a change in his fighting plans. He had offered his services for the rematch, but a fight against Jack Massey on October 12 could prevent him from subsequently joining the Brit's training squad.