The consensus among fans is that Jai Opetaia should now move to the heavyweight to face Moses Itauma, rather than waiting until he completed his potentially fruitless goal to become the undisputed Cruiserweight champion of the division.
The Cruiserweight falls
The problem with Opetaia (28-0, 22 costs) staying with Cruiserweight to win the three belts he needs to become undisputed is that none of the champions show an urgency to fight against him.
Zurdo & Jack will not act
- Gilberto Ramirez: WBA and WBO
- BADOU JACK: WBC
- Jastai: Im thex
Jai is 30 years old, and it can take him quite a long time to capture the three titles he needs. If it takes him three to four years to round off the remaining belts, he may not be the same fighter by the time he reaches 33 or 34.
Speed ​​will not last forever
Opetaia’s most important asset is his hand speed. Once it starts to erode with age, he is just another of the many heavy fighters. It may not be enough once he is heavyweight. Speed ​​is what he needs.
“What about Moses Itauma against Jai Opetaia?” says the analyst Johnny Nelson to Talksport Boxing.
“Today I would take that battle because I think Jai Opetaia is so smart, and he will confront with something,” said host Simon Jordan about his thoughts about Opetaia that now have to move to the heavyweight to fight against Moses Itauma. ‘He must go up now. “
I agree with Jordan. Opetaia must get an idea and admit that he now has to go to heavyweight, not later. It is of the opinion that the two champions in the crossweight who have to fight Opetaia, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Badou Jack, are not interested in fighting him.
So, unless they are offered a fortune to fight against him, they will hold their straps and continue to defend against the mostly defeatable contenders. This is a completely poor section where a competent champion can milk their titles for years, and earn decent money before he is finally deprived.
Go now, Jai – before it’s too late
“Without a doubt,” Nelson said, agreeing with Simon over Opetaia who now has to move to heavyweight, rather than waiting until he finishes the remaining three titles he needs to become undisputed Cruiserweight champion.
“I wouldn’t hang at Cruiserweight for these boys because they don’t want to. There is no dough there, ‘says Nelson about Jai wasting his time.
Last updated on 10/05/2025
