Opetaia doesn't really have a jab

i somewhat agree. I think he can jab but its certainly not a great jab. He is offensively a marvelous fighter- left hand, right hook, back hand uppercut, lead uppercut, combinations. Ferocious puncher.

But he will need to jab more and keep a tighter guard at heavyweight given the higher number of big punchers at heavyweight.

 

I think that perhaps Usyks final statement in the ring should be a whipping of Jai.

 

I would favour Usyk but the younger Opetaia has both a speed and probably a power advantage too.

Usyk is certainly technically better and i would favour peak Usyk quite comfortably. But youth and superior speed can overcome superior technical skill and experience.

 

Ideally it's probably too far away for Usyk, Opetaia will take a while to pick up all the cruiser belts. So Usyk would need a defence or two of the heavyweight crown and then Opetaia, I guess. Usyk another level, still, in my opinion.

 

I think Opetaia's tendency to fade later in fights would work against him here. Usyk could probably weather the storm and come on strong late.

However, if the fight were to happen in the next 12 months, it would be interesting. Let's say Usyk beats Parker or Dubois mid of next year and still wants to go on. The earliest he could fight would be November 2025 or December 2025.

Let's say Jai unifies vs Zurdo by middle of the year or he simply moves up, wins a warm up vs a top 15 heavy, and since Turki reportedly likes Jai, Opetaia can be fast tracked to fight Usyk in December 2025.

Stylistically, it is a very intriguing fight. Very intriguing. Two left handers so the left handed advantage they both enjoy vs other fighters disappears. The younger man is quicker and harder hitting. The older man surprisingly has better stamina and certainly better technique. I agree Usyk is on another level but style wise, Opetaia gives him a harder time than most heavies do.

 

I think Usyk still wins but Opetaia would be way harder to beat for him than Fury and Joshua.

 

One of the first things I noticed about Jai is that he seems to use his lead cross like a jab. We saw it again tonight, him just flinging his cross out there similar to how one would use their jab as a range finder. He also doesn’t seem to counter punch or set shots up. Instead he is more focused on timing his opponents with crosses and lead hooks. With that being said, he looks lethal when he gets a flow going and is still a head and shoulders above everyone else at cruiserweight.

 

He's not moving up. He gets chinned at HW. His fanboys can't admit it.

Holyfield & Usyk are outliers. This HW division is too hot for him.