Can Jai Opetaia have success at Heavyweight?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Jul 4, 2024.


  1. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I believe so definitely, he’s got a lot of attributes that’ll help him at heavyweight, hand speed, footwork and foot speed and can get in and out which is crucial for a Crusierweight moving up, yes he has his weaknesses, but so did Moorer for example and he was 25lbs lighter.
     
  2. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes, but limited. His frame is too small and his power a bit oversold.

    He can definitely be good, especially given the crap that is forming the next generation, but he'll be a Ez Charles, Michael Spinks type where he is always a bit of a fish out of water.
     
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  3. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    yes but his defense needs to improve.
     
  4. drenlou

    drenlou VIP Member

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    Agreed
     
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  5. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Opetia becomes a unified champ
     
  6. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Considering 75% of the division is eligible for Medicare, yeah,,,,
     
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  7. BubblesUK

    BubblesUK Doesn't buy hypejobs Full Member

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    Personally I think you have to be dominant in a decent cruiser division to stand much chance... Struggling with Briedis corpse isn't the best sign, IMHO, as good a fighter as Briedis looked at his best.

    For me, you also have to look at who else is going to be around - Parker is only 3 years older and a proven campaigner at heavy, then you have Dubois who's 3 years younger than Jai but naturally suited to the weight... I don't think he'd beat either of them, personally
     
  8. chacal

    chacal F*** the new normal Full Member

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    I his last fight I wondered if he was going to have the expected success at cruiser, so you can imagine in hw....

    If it was only a one-fight thing then even better for him, but if not.... as it has been already said struggling with the corpse of Briedis is not something to brag about.
     
  9. senpai

    senpai Boxing Addict Full Member

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    There are two LHW that can beat him. Why are we even talking about HW for him ?
     
  10. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Could be a top 20 heavyweight for sure......not much more though
     
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  11. Kratos

    Kratos Well-Known Member Full Member

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    lol
     
  12. UniversalPart

    UniversalPart Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No

    Too small

    Not skilled enough


    If he can't get through a fight without getting his faced smashed in by an old Breidis twice then what chance does he have against someone who can punch much harder and has a better jab that he can't seem to overcome?
     
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  13. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Boxing fans live in the moment. 0 foresight
     
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  14. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    There are rumours that he set Tyson Fury on fire in sparring. If that's true, then yeah, sure he could.
     
  15. BigBone

    BigBone Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I mean Fury is easy to hurt but great at recovering, so I can picture a Jai sneak left lighting him up. It's the punch that he can carry up along with speed and some skills, but he's not as good or powerful as some think and unlike Wilder has power in one hand. So if the left is defensed, I see big guys giving him trouble on sheer size and clubbing power difference. Can be a top 10-er and would be a nice addition and I reckon he's still learning, so why not go up?