JACK MASSEY doesn’t want to be compared to Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro.
The two British cruiserweights faced Jai Opetaia in September and December 2023 with both on the other end of heavy defeats against the Australian. This Saturday night Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title against Massey bringing his total to three British opponents.
Thompson was Opetaia’s first opposition after a 14-month layoff and lasted only four rounds before being stopped. Against Zorro the contest was over in the final seconds of the first round when the Bromey boxer got knocked out.
Massey, however, has mixed in better company than his fellow Brits did prior to their dates with Opetaia. The 31-year-old went the distance with former world cruiserweight title challenger Richard Riakporhe in 2019 and then an experiment at heavyweight saw Massey also go 10 rounds with Joseph Parker. And four months ago Massey bagged the biggest win of his career beating Isaac Chamberlain on points to become European cruiserweight champion.
“It’s a shame people are getting me mixed up with up with Zorro and Thompson, thinking I’m just another Brit on his scalp,” Massey told Boxing News.
“He’s [Opetaia] sadly mistaken. That’s not going to happen. I believe I’m levels above them guys. And I believe I’m going to give more than [Mairis] Briedis.
“Briedis, amazing fighter, a great guy, I like the guy but I believe he [was] coming to the end of his career. Give it his all and he answered a few questions in that fight. But I believe I’m better than that.”
Opetaia successfully won back his IBF title after beating Briedis in a rematch earlier this year two years after defeating the Latvian in Australia to win the belt first time around.
