Is this proof that Jai Opetaia is better than Joseph Parker

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Aug 1, 2025.

  1. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
    Messages:
    14,184
    Likes Received:
    16,249
    This content is protected


    This content is protected
     
    CroBox29 likes this.
  2. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold Hype Jobs will be hype jobs until proven so. Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2024
    Messages:
    2,448
    Likes Received:
    3,662
    I like Opetaia, hes proved something with two very good wins over Briedis and he has potentially a very high ceiling as well. But its a bit too early to gauge how he'll do at HW especially against a current strong contender, former champion and a seasoned vet in Joseph Parker. I get that he needs to get all the belts at CW even if Zurdo is dithering somewhat.

    Its certainly possible Opetaia could be HW champion if Usyk, Haye and Holyfield could do it from CW.
     
  3. miniq

    miniq AJ IS A BODYBUILDING BUM Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2011
    Messages:
    47,713
    Likes Received:
    27,545
    Opetai gets hit too much to compete at HW
     
  4. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2021
    Messages:
    3,120
    Likes Received:
    4,244
    Lol. Just lol
     
  5. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    12,214
    Likes Received:
    8,337
    They don't even fight in the same division.

    LOL, just LOL - as per the above post.
     
  6. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
    Messages:
    14,184
    Likes Received:
    16,249
    Parker couldn't stop Massey and got rocked
     
    The Cryptkeeper likes this.
  7. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2004
    Messages:
    34,838
    Likes Received:
    17,957
    What is this palagi going on about?
     
  8. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    12,214
    Likes Received:
    8,337
    Your brainless threads are becoming tedious.
     
  9. tragedy

    tragedy Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2024
    Messages:
    1,021
    Likes Received:
    740
    Opetaia looked slightly bigger than Bivol in a group picture he might be about 6 1/2 feet tall and he's a naturally slim and slender guy. If he could box absolutely he could do very well at heavyweight but he relies on power which won't be there at heavyweight. A skinny power puncher adding a bunch of muscle and weight is an awful idea. Michael Spinks was a skinny guy but he could spoil and box not just rely on power
     
  10. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2021
    Messages:
    3,120
    Likes Received:
    4,244
    So? Parker still won the fight and is a boxer, not a KO artist.

    Historically very few cruiserweights are successful at heavyweight and for good reason. When Opetaia actually fights a heavyweight, we can come back to this discussion.
     
  11. Indiantakeaway9

    Indiantakeaway9 New Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2025
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    56
    Jai Opetaia will be a bit better than Joe Parker at heavyweight and it's not going to be primarily because of his superior speed and agility it's going to be due to his superior mentality.

    People dismissing Opetaia were also most likely of the opinion that Usyk was also ''too small'' to beat upright and stiff Joshua. :coleman:

    Opetaia will be a very good heavyweight due to his superior speed footwork and balance compared to the the vast majority of heavies combined with a good chin good power that should translate and a fearless mentality.
     
  12. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2014
    Messages:
    27,188
    Likes Received:
    36,244
    Triangles, triangles, triangles. Reminds of of the guy out there who said Haye is better than Usyk because he knocked out Chisora.

    Jai is tough and talented, but Parker is so much more deeply proven at this point that the two should not be mentioned together. Jai is also 30 now, and is basically wasting his career waiting on Zurdo.

    Good luck to him. Tough, talented and seems like a gentleman.
     
    Kiwi Fish, Kiwi Casual and dmt like this.
  13. CroBox29

    CroBox29 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    4,971
    Likes Received:
    5,589
    It would be better for Opetaia to join the heavyweights because the cruiserweight division is extremely weak, time will tell how good he would be but I believe he would be good...
     
    MarkusFlorez99 likes this.
  14. Kiwi Fish

    Kiwi Fish Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2024
    Messages:
    847
    Likes Received:
    1,377
    Unlike a lot of people I don't think Opetaia would be too undersized at heavyweight, he walks around at ~220 and doesn't blow up between camps, he is a similar height to guys like Kabayel and Itauma just with 25lbs less fat on him.

    But he is happy to take shots to land his own offense which may not hold up at heavyweight, especially if the extra weight doesn't help his chin. At this point we would have to say that Parker would be the clear favourite, he just has so much more experience.

    Regarding the Massey fight, Parker is typically a 12 round, low risk fighter who has improved a lot since then, while Opetaia is a destructive fighter who likes to break down his opponents round by round. They have quite different styles.
     
    The Cryptkeeper likes this.
  15. The Cryptkeeper

    The Cryptkeeper Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2023
    Messages:
    2,882
    Likes Received:
    5,455
    Opetaia has s granite chin and moves like a welterweight. His power is still going to be well above average compared to most heavyweights so there’s no reason why he can’t be a serious player once he moves up.

    He’ll kill Zurdo and then move up.

    I believe he will win a legitimate title at heavyweight.
     
    Kiwi Fish likes this.