Jai Opetaia Next fight: Target Usyk and Legacy

On Saturday, October 12, Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) for the undisputed light heavyweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On one stacked bottom cardIBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs) will return to action against Jack Massey (22-2, 12 KOs). The Sydney native spoke to Sky Sports about his goal for the future, including a fighter he would like to face.

Jai Opetaia defends his title against Jack Massey on October 12th

Jai Opetaia reveals his ambitions for a Legacy fight

Opetaia has big ambitions for its future, starting with a win on October 12 against Massey: “We want to be the undisputed cruiserweight champion” Opetaia told Sky Sport.

He continued: “We want to collect the belts and then we want Move up and collect more belts, either at Bridgeweight or Heavyweight.

Read more: Chris Billam-Smith doubts Jai Opetaia's record amid fight delay

“A world champion in three divisions sounds good” Opetaia added.

The Australian insisted: “I’m the best cruiserweight in the world.”

Looking ahead to October 12 and the importance of proving yourself, Opetaia said: “It's easy to say something like that. I just have to keep proving it. I have to prove and prove it again on the 12th my next battle and keep I collect these belts.”

Possible heavyweight move

The 29-year-old southpaw has sparred with top heavyweight fighters, including Tyson Fury, who used him to spar before his memorable fight with him Oleksandr Usyk.

Opetaia looked back on the sparring sessions and hinted at a possible move to heavyweight: “You’re doing great things.”

He continued: “You learn a lot there and everything is just positive. We continue to improve wherever we go.”

He revealed his belief that he could compete in the heavyweight division: “I mixed it up with a lot of big boys. I know I can alternate it with them,” Opetaia said.

Read more: Beterbiev vs. Bivol: Predictions from Darren Barker, Joseph Parker and Ariel Helwani

The Australian also spoke about his desire to face Usyk: “I would love to fight Usyk one day. It's a fight I'll definitely follow. I have been near Usyk for a long time. We both went to the same Olympics [in 2012]. I was still young,” he said.

He added: “I was always nearby. I've always been in the shadows. I feel like my chance to play against him is getting closer and closer.”

Speaking about his routine and goals, the tenacious Australian said: “The goal has never changed. We've been doing the same thing since I was a little kid. Train, eat, sleep on repeat.”

“That’s easy to say [stuff]. I try to live it. I try to train hard every day and just fight and prepare and do what I have to do to prove it.said Opetaia.

Bivol vs. Beterbiev Full Fight Card

• Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol; For the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles
• Chris Eubank Jr. against Kamil Szeremeta; Middleweight
• Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke; For Wardley's British heavyweight title
• Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey; For Opetaia's IBF cruiserweight title
• Ben Whittaker vs Liam Cameron; Light heavyweight
• Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman; For Nicolson's WBC women's featherweight title
• Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez; Light