Eddie Hearn says IBF lightweight champion Jay Opetaia could challenge Alexander Usyk for the heavyweight world title.12 to 18 months” With the help of Turki Sheikh’s “money”.

Hearn revealed the plan was to boost Opetaia’s “credibility” and allow him to win WBA, WBC and WBO gold from Gilberto “Zuldo” Ramirez and Badou Jack belt and become the undisputed lightweight champion. Once Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) does that, he will move up to heavyweight to challenge Usyk for his belt, assuming he hasn’t retired or been beaten before.

Skip the line?

It’s a little jarring that Opetaia is getting a title shot in his first heavyweight fight without at least a fight against a title eliminator or one of the top contenders lining up for a world title shot. When a boxer is given a title shot without even competing in the division first, boxing seems less like a real sport and more about popularity and money.

Although Opetaia knocked out David Nyka (10-1, 9 KOs) in the fourth round at the Gold Coast Convention Center in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia on Wednesday night, it’s hard to imagine him beating someone like Martin Ba Heavyweight contenders like Kohler.

18 month plan

Eddie Hearn said: “Jay will become undisputed by winning all the belts in the lightweight division and then we hope to have him fight Oleksandr Usy at heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk fights to try to become undisputed.” Daznintalked about wanting Jai Opetaia to win all the titles at lightweight and then move up to heavyweight and do the same thing there.

“I believe he’s the only guy at lightweight or heavyweight who can actually give Alexander Usyk a real fight, but to do that we have to pick up every belt at lightweight first , to put Alexander Usyk on the field to give him credibility and money from His Excellency.

“Believe me, in 12 to 18 months, Jai Opetaia versus Oleksandr Usyk will be an all-time classic,” Hearn said.

When Opetaia takes on WBA and WBO lightweight champion “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs), he may lose. This is a big improvement over the likes of Nyika and the faded Mairis Briedis. He could lose to Zurdo, which would ruin Hearn’s vision of him challenging Usyk.

Take Usyk for example. He may retire soon or be defeated by IBF champion Daniel Dubois. Usyk won’t wait for Opetaia to collect all the lightweight belts before fighting again. He will remain active and one of the obvious fights that could happen next is a rematch with Dubois.

Oleksandr was lucky not to get knocked out in the fight on August 26, 2023. He was knocked down by what appeared to be a legal body shot, but the referee ruled it a low blow. Replays showed it was on the beltline. Dubois will focus on Usyk’s body in the rematch because he knows he’s weak.