If Jai Opetaia stepped up to HW today where would you rank him?

Smaller and not defensively sound as Usyk and Usyk had to adapt when he came to HW to be more defensively sound and put on some mass. Also Usyk is used to fighting heavyweights as an amateur. Jai is not.

Worst thing they could do with is throw him in with heavyweights but after he has a lot of fun sparring Fury and he sees that's where the money is no doubt he is going there. Going to need to feed him a lot of lumps though. I don't think the Saudi's are paying up for them kind of fights.

He's not top 10. Bakole would launch him out the ring. It would be a case of carefully matchmaking then find a money fight, can't imagine what that money fight would be...

 

There is that,,,,it's not hard to look good in that division.

 

Probably lower half of the top ten. He needs some quality wins at HW to move up any higher than that.

 

Opetaia vs Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa would be a great Aus vs NZ clash, especially after La'auliolemalietoa clinical dismantling of Leshun on Saturday.

 

There was a poll on here after the fight.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/how-did-you-score-jai-opetaia-vs-mairis-briedis.692006/

Oh wait...as of right this second, about 31% Brieidis, 38% Opetaia, the rest a draw!


It is Christmas so I am going to refrain from namecalling, myself.

 

Probably top 10. It’s not so much his body of work, but it comes down to who he would be a betting favourite over. I’d favour him over Dubois.
His tenacity and footwork alone would give many heavyweights fits.