Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Undefeated Australian boxer Jai Opetaia (25-0, 19 KOs), the reigning IBF cruiserweight champion, is preparing to defend his title against British challenger Jack Massey (22-2, 12 KOs) on October 12, 2024. The highly anticipated fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as part of the undercard for the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bout for the undisputed light heavyweight title.
Opetaia, 29, gained widespread recognition after his impressive victory over Mairis Briedis in 2022, which earned him the IBF title. After successfully defending his crown earlier this year in a rematch against Briedis, Opetaia is now focused on his third title defence against Massey. This fight is crucial for the Australian, who has aspirations to unify the cruiserweight division and potentially move up to heavyweight in the future.
“We were chasing unification fights, but it didn’t come together, so we’re focused on Massey now,” Opetaia said at a recent press conference. “He’s hungry for his chance, but I’ve trained for 12 rounds of war, and I’m ready for whatever he brings on the 12th.”
Massey, 31, hails from England and earned this title shot after two recent victories, including a unanimous decision win over Isaac Chamberlain in June 2024. The British fighter acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, calling the bout a “lottery ticket” and an opportunity to become a world champion for the first time.
The fight is expected to be a significant test for both athletes. While Opetaia is heavily favoured due to his unbeaten record and high knockout rate, Massey’s resilience and determination to seize this chance cannot be overlooked.
Looking ahead, Opetaia has expressed his desire to unify the cruiserweight belts, potentially facing champions like Chris Billam-Smith or Gilberto Ramírez. He has also hinted at a future move to heavyweight, where he has already sparred with top fighters such as Tyson Fury.
As boxing fans eagerly await this showdown, the stakes are high for both boxers. A win for Opetaia could pave the way for major unification fights, while for Massey, a victory would be a career-defining moment, propelling him into the top ranks of the cruiserweight division.
The October 12 fight promises to be an explosive contest, with both fighters fully prepared for a hard-fought battle in pursuit of boxing glory.
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