Jai Opetaia steps up to heavyweight next month for an intriguing showdown with Deontay Wilder on the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua undercard, and Wilder has looked ahead to the power of the two-time cruiserweight king.
Opetaia last fought as a true heavyweight back in 2016, when he claimed the ANBF New South Wales heavyweight title and he has since gone on to become a two-time IBF cruiserweight world champion, thanks to two wins over Mairis Briedis.
Still undefeated, Opetaia – 24 KOs from 31 wins – is hoping to be reinstated as the IBF cruiserweight titleholder in the near future but rather than waiting on the sidelines, the 31-year-old southpaw has made the decision to return to action against Wilder in four weeks’ time.
Speaking with Playbook Boxing, Wilder, who boasts 43 knockouts in the division, questioned whether Opetaia’s punch power would translate into the heavyweight scene, believing that ‘it is totally different’ from fighting at 200lbs.
“When you are dealing with power, I know that power never leaves – the last and final thing to ever leave a human being is your power.
“With him, I don’t know what type of power he has. He might have cruiserweight power but heavyweight power is totally different. It is totally different up here, every punch hurts in the heavyweight division, especially if you ain’t got adrenaline rush going.
“I don’t know anything about cruiserweight and the cruiserweight powers. I have sparred many cruiserweights and I have never left a cruiserweight that I have sparred and been like ‘damn, they hit hard.’
“So that is the question, can his power be established from the first round to the twelfth round. Especially when you have got another heavyweight walking you down and trying to knock you out as well. It gets a little scary in there when you coming into the heavyweight division, but I don’t duck anyone and maybe he is ready for this.”
‘The Bronze Bomber’ then went on to admit that he had never heard of Opetaia until the opportunity to face him arose, saying that his attention tends to be away from boxing when he is not preparing for a fight himself.
“I had never heard of him before. I am one of those guys where, when [once] I fight, I am out. I got so much other things, I got seven children, I am not a financial dad, I am a times dad. I love every part of being a father, I love spending time with my kids.”
Wilder-Opetaia is one of three heavyweight bouts that has been now confirmed for the Fury-Joshua undercard on Friday, December 11.
