A New Challenger Emerges: Undefeated World Champion Eyes Heavyweight Showdown With Oleksandr Usyk – “I’ve Got The Style To Beat Him”

A New Challenger Emerges: Undefeated World Champion Eyes Heavyweight Showdown With Oleksandr Usyk – “I’ve Got The Style To Beat Him”

Oleksandr Usyk’s career trajectory has been nothing short of legendary, carving a path that only one other fighter before him—Evander Holyfield—has managed to achieve. The Ukrainian superstar has consistently broken boundaries, and his impressive feats have cemented his place as one of the all-time greats in boxing.

 

From capturing Olympic Gold to dominating the professional scene, Usyk’s rise has been meteoric. He conquered the cruiserweight division with relative ease, taking out the likes of Krzysztof Głowacki, Mairis Briedis, and Murat Gassiev. These victories allowed Usyk to secure his place as the undisputed cruiserweight champion. His final fight at that weight class, a brutal yet masterful performance against Tony Bellew, was a fitting farewell before his much-anticipated leap to heavyweight.

 

Once at heavyweight, Usyk’s impact was immediate. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning himself a shot at Anthony Joshua. In a dazzling display of skill and endurance, Usyk bested the British powerhouse to become the unified heavyweight champion. He then successfully defended his titles not once, but twice—first in a high-stakes rematch with Joshua and later against Daniel Dubois, whose mandatory challenge was swiftly dealt with by the Ukrainian. These victories solidified Usyk’s status as one of the premier heavyweights in the world, setting the stage for a massive showdown with Tyson Fury.

 

Now, with a rematch against Fury on the horizon, the world is watching closely to see if Usyk can add the final piece of the puzzle to his heavyweight crown. Should he prevail, many fans and analysts are speculating about what could be next for the Ukrainian. Could he retire after reaching the pinnacle of his career? Or would he consider taking on new challenges, perhaps even returning to the cruiserweight division where he first built his legacy?

 

One man who is keenly interested in the latter possibility is Jai Opetaia, the current IBF Cruiserweight World Champion. Opetaia, an undefeated rising star in the sport, has made it clear that a fight with Usyk is something he would relish. In an interview with TalkSPORT, the Australian boxer didn’t shy away from expressing his admiration for Usyk’s career while also stating his belief that he could be the one to dethrone him.

 

Opetaia’s ambitions are not without merit. His recent rise in the cruiserweight ranks has been nothing short of spectacular. The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the most dangerous fighters in the division, showcasing a blend of speed, power, and relentless aggression that has earned him the IBF title. His victory over Mairis Briedis, in particular, was a statement to the boxing world that he belongs at the top.

 

In reflecting on a potential clash with Usyk, Opetaia spoke with both respect and confidence. “I would love to share the ring with him,” he said. “When I fought here in London at the Olympic Games, he won the division I was in. I’ve always been close to the top, always in the dark corner, scratching and clawing, waiting for my opportunities. I would love to fight a fighter like that, and I feel like I do have the style to beat him.”

 

Opetaia’s desire to face Usyk is fueled by more than just ambition. Having fought in the same division during the 2012 Olympic Games, the Australian has long watched Usyk’s career from a distance. The Ukrainian’s success served as both motivation and a benchmark for Opetaia, who now finds himself on the cusp of his own greatness. Usyk’s move to heavyweight may have delayed a potential clash between the two, but the possibility of Usyk returning to cruiserweight has reignited Opetaia’s hopes.

 

A matchup between Opetaia and Usyk would be a fascinating contest for boxing fans worldwide. It would pit Opetaia’s fearsome aggression and raw power against Usyk’s elite movement, technical prowess, and seemingly endless stamina. Such a bout would undoubtedly be a high-stakes chess match of the highest order, with the outcome far from certain.

 

Further adding to the intrigue is Opetaia’s connection to Tyson Fury. The Australian southpaw was invited into Fury’s camp for sparring in preparation for the Usyk fight, as his style was seen as a good emulation of the Ukrainian’s unique skill set. However, due to a change in Fury’s fight plans, Opetaia’s time in the camp was cut short. Despite this, the fact that Fury himself sought out Opetaia’s help speaks volumes about the Australian’s standing in the boxing world.

 

Opetaia’s involvement with Fury’s camp could have provided him with valuable insights into how to approach a potential fight with Usyk. His time sparring with the heavyweight giant would undoubtedly have sharpened his skills and given him a taste of what it’s like to face an opponent of Usyk’s caliber. Opetaia had even offered to rejoin Fury’s camp for the upcoming rematch with Usyk, but his own fight against Jack Massey on October 12 may prevent him from doing so.

 

Regardless of the outcome of Fury and Usyk’s rematch, Jai Opetaia has made it clear that he’s ready for his moment in the spotlight. Should Usyk decide to return to cruiserweight, Opetaia will be waiting, confident in his abilities and eager to test himself against one of the sport’s all-time greats. In the words of the Australian champion, “I’ve got the style to beat him.” Now, it’s up to Usyk to decide if he’s willing to accept the challenge.

 

As the boxing world waits to see what the future holds for Oleksandr Usyk, one thing is certain: there’s no shortage of challengers willing to step into the ring with the Ukrainian legend, and Jai Opetaia is leading the charge.