Prime Gassiev vs Opetaia at cruiserweight

Basically, yes.

He looks pretty good but we haven't seen anywhere near enough to suggest that he's going to roll into heavyweight like Usyk and dominate, which is what a lot of guys seem to be saying.

 

Opetaia has two wins over Briedis; a much better cruiserweight than Gassiev. Yes Briedis was past his best, especially in fight 2, but he was still better than Gassiev and Opetaia was arguably pre-prime, at least in fight 1.

Gassiev didn't stop small cruiser Lebedev and barely stopped Dorticos, who was walking into his punches all night. He lost to Wallin over 12 rounds, got hurt in that fight and his best HW win as it stands is a come from behind 6th round KO against 44 year old Pulev.

Opetaia would be a heavy favourite.

 

He wasn't dropped by Wallin and nobody else stopped Dorticis including Breidis.

Breidis was nearly 40 in the rematch, if beating that Breidis is a good win than beating Pulev is an an excellent win as well and proves he beats any version of Pulev

 

I agree that Brieidis was the second best cruiser of the magic division, but he was absolutely not "much better." You can criticize the wins all you like, but the reality is that Gassiev's run of Lebedev, Wlodarczyk and Dorticos can be minimized. As for losing to Wallin, a 6'5" southpaw heavy with a great jab, it isn't really as abad as Brieidis needing a gift over Mikaeljan.

Both had their ups and downs--and both were due to injuries. Gassiev has come though his (hopefully) and now has a chance to accomplish something at heavy. Brieidis never did much at heavy, and Opetaia, who again, is only two years younger, has shown no indication that he intends to go.

Also, it seems you are forgetting that in the first fight, Jai had his jaw broken, and a slight majority on here think Briedis won. So Jai himself is not without his mortal moments.

So no, Opetaia would not be a "heavy favorite."

 

At least Briedis was still world champion. Pulev is a fake champion, he got the belt by bum a bum who Briedis already knocked out

 

If Gassiev fights Itauma he'll be a 5/1 underdog or wider, Opetaia would be heavily favoured. Gassiev lost 12-0 or 11-1 at best to Usyk, Briedis lost 7-5 and I suspect he'd have beaten Gassiev by near-shut out too. Gassiev is a big puncher but he lacks versatility. I don't think Gassiev holds up well against southpaw movers with good chins and I rate Opetaia considerably above Wallin.

 

Gassiev was injured.

Besides, one fight does not tell the entire story.