Sometimes, you discover a hidden gem of a talent before the vast majority of boxing fans even know his name. While others remain unaware, you’re already telling your friends about him, predicting a bright future and confidently claiming he could defeat much more famous opponents. Then, paradoxically, when your protégé reaches the top and everyone heaps praise and glory upon him, you start to wonder if the hype has gone too far. That’s exactly what happened with me and my assessment of Jai Opetaia.
When the IBF cruiserweight world title fight between reigning champion Mairis Briedis and Australian challenger Jai Opetaia was announced in 2022, I was thrilled. I rushed to share the news with the Italian boxing fan WhatsApp group where I discuss the sport daily, boldly stating that the belt would change hands. My prediction was met with skepticism.
I had stumbled across some videos of the southpaw Australian a while back and was intrigued by his technical style, impressive power, and the overwhelming presence that seemed to leap off the screen. I hunted down every available clip of him to better gauge his potential.
Opetaia’s speed, excellent footwork, and the traps set up by his southpaw stance convinced me that the 37-year-old Briedis, who had been showing signs of athletic decline in recent years, would struggle immensely to showcase his skills and talent against such a fresh and dynamic opponent. In the end, time proved me right.
A dazzling Opetaia dominated the first half of the fight with brilliant boxing, making it incredibly difficult for the world champion to close the distance. However, Briedis’s unwavering determination forced the challenger into a grueling final stretch, even breaking Opetaia’s jaw. On my scorecard, the Latvian narrowly missed pulling off an incredible comeback by just two points.
Of course, there was nothing for Opetaia to be ashamed of: the immense caliber of his opponent and his own inexperience at the highest level made his struggles more than forgivable. Enduring such hardship to hear the final bell seemed less like a cause for concern and more like a pivotal step in the Oceanic athlete’s growth.
By the time the two fighters faced off again last May, expectations had shifted dramatically. Briedis had aged further and been inactive for almost two years, while Opetaia had solidified his elite status by dismantling British challengers Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro with startling ease.
What was expected to be a routine victory for the Australian played out exactly as anticipated for the first nine rounds. Opetaia rendered his opponent completely powerless, battering him with an impressive volume of heavy blows, some of which could have felled a bull, and leaving Briedis unable to muster any meaningful response.
Once again, however, and completely unexpectedly, the stubbornness of the aging Latvian lion threw the outcome into doubt. After visibly feeling the effect of a punch in the tenth round and being spared by the referee—who opted not to count what seemed like a legitimate knockdown—Opetaia struggled mightily to fend off his opponent’s final assaults, finishing the match battered and bloodied.
Today, after two more stoppage wins, the IBF cruiserweight champion is idolized worldwide. Many are calling for his move to the heavyweight division, even labeling him the most credible challenger to the throne of none other than Oleksandr Usyk. Yet, I remain somewhat skeptical about whether Opetaia has truly reached the level of a great champion, as so many now claim.
While the physical decline he showed in his first fight against Briedis could be reasonably attributed to nerves and inexperience, his fading in the late rounds of their rematch raises significant questions.
Opetaia unleashes an impressive amount of power in the majority of his punches. While this makes him a lethal force in the early rounds, it also drains him of energy rapidly—a potential danger against a tough, durable opponent who could drag him into deep and treacherous waters as the fight progresses.
Additionally, his defense is far from impenetrable. This is partly due to his tendency to hold his head too high and exposed during exchanges, and partly because of his fiery temperament, which leads him into wild trades even against opponents he could handle more prudently. Incidentally, these are the same two flaws that recently proved costly for his compatriot Tim Tszyu.
To some of you, this comparison might seem sacrilegious, but in my opinion, Jai Opetaia has reached an overall level not too far removed from the best version of Yuniel Dorticos, the Cuban cruiserweight who starred in the unforgettable World Boxing Super Series tournaments.
Like Opetaia, the “KO Doctor” possessed excellent technical skills but often sacrificed them on the altar of warfare due to his adventurous spirit. His wild and spectacular fight against Youri Kayembre Kalenga is a case in point—a match Dorticos could have comfortably won from a distance but chose instead to turn into a battlefield.
Let me clarify: this article is not intended as a complete dismissal of Opetaia’s value, which I personally hold in high regard. I believe the Australian is a worthy world champion and has a strong chance of defeating Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez in a unification match, thereby cementing his status as the undisputed king of the contemporary cruiserweight division.
However, I think there is a difference between being a champion and being a great champion, and Opetaia has yet to prove he has crossed that line to become an iconic figure in the sport. To suggest that he could dominate at heavyweight or even challenge Usyk’s throne is, at this point, premature. To meet such expectations, the Australian will need to make another significant leap forward, particularly in his approach and tactical management of fights.