‘I’m chasing belts’: Jai Opetaia reveals history-making three-weight world title plan

Jai Opetaia is going for it all. Announcing a history-making three-weight world title plan as he aims to break Australia’s shocking run in world title fights this weekend.

Jai Opetaia is on a mission to end Australia’s horrendous run of form in major fights by reclaiming his IBF cruiserweight world title against Mairis Briedis this Sunday, but the hard-hitting southpaw has even bigger plans for the future.

A win in this weekend’s co-main event on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk card will see Opetaia become Australia’s only male world champion in either boxing or UFC, but the 28-year-old isn’t content with just winning one title.

Speaking exclusively to this masthead after weighing in in Saudi Arabia on Friday, Opetaia revealed his plans to create history by winning world titles in three weight classes, including the newly established bridgerweight (224 pounds) division.

And one former heavyweight world title holder, Joseph Parker, is backing him to get it done.

Opetaia made weight easily on Friday. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Opetaia’s second consecutive fight in Saudi Arabia is a rematch of his heroic world title-winning effort against Briedis on the Gold Coast in 2022, when the Aussie fought through a jaw broken in two places.

The horrific injury necessitated a lengthy rehab and comeback, and he defended the belt once in September, before boxing politics saw him stripped of it in December.

Over the following five months, a combination of freak injuries, boxing politics and off nights has left Australia without a single male world champion for the first time in more than four years.

Tim Tszyu relinquished his world title after a sickening cut against Sebastian Fundora, while Michael Zerafa and Liam Wilson were outgunned by Erislandy Lara and Oscar Valdez respectively.

Tim Tszyu nearly beat Sebastian Fundora despite a horrific cut. Picture: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Jason and Andrew Moloney have both lost world title fights in the last two weeks, as has George Kambosos when he was stopped by Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Add in Alex Volkanovski’s shock UFC defeat to Ilia Topuria, and Steve Erceg’s closely contested flyweight title loss to Alexandre Pantoja, and it’s a dire run that leaves Skye Nicolson and Cherneka Johnson as the only current Australian world champions.

“For sure, man,” Opetaia said when asked if he wants to get one back for the Aussie boys this weekend. “And, even though those boys are coming off losses, we’re still proud of them.

Opetaia is The Ring Magazine cruiserweight world champion. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“We’re still proud to see Aussies on the international stage, and it’s opening doors for the other boys coming through.

“It’s not just for them, it’s for the younger generation too, especially with these kids from little areas all around Australia. Kids think they can’t make it out and be on those levels, but we’re living proof. We’re mixing it with the best in the world.

“I’m honestly so honoured to be at the forefront, and to represent our country.”

The Aussie destroyed Ellis Zorro inside one round in December. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Opetaia is intensely focused on winning back the IBF cruiserweight world title this weekend, but he revealed some huge plans for the future.

“I’m chasing belts (at cruiserweight) – that’s all we’re chasing right now – and all I want to do is fight for the belts,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of boxes to tick at cruiserweight along the way, and I make the weight easy.

“Heavyweight, that’s further down the track, but it’s something I see later on.

“And even bridgerweight. I’m hoping by the time I finish at cruiserweight, bridgerweight will have some big names in it as well.

“Then I’ll be a three division world champion.”

Opetaia obliterated Jordan Thompson in his comeback from his broken jaw in September. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

Not only that, he’ll become the first fighter ever to win world titles at cruiserweight, bridgerweight and heavyweight.

“I’ve been breaking records since I was a little kid,” he said. “I was the first ever Australian to win a world championship gold medal, I was the youngest ever Olympic boxer.

“I won the world title the way I did, and now a three division world champion in the future.”

There has already been talk about Opetaia facing former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder, and it’s a prospect the Gold Coast-based New South Welshman relishes.

And Joseph Parker, who held the WBO heavyweight crown between 2016 and 2018, and who outclassed Wilder last year, says Opetaia has the skills to make it happen.

“His focus is on becoming the unified and undisputed cruiserweight world champion, and once he’s ticked that off, he can look to coming up to the heavyweight division,” Parker told this masthead. “He’s powerful, strong, he’s deadly.

Joseph Parker (R) was too good for Deontay Wilder (L) last year. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“Jai has a lot of potential to be one of the greats.

“He moves well, and he’s following the same path Usyk went down. He’s doing the same path, conquering the cruiserweight division and moving up.

“His footwork going in and out, and you can’t predict what he’s going to do.”

As for this weekend, Opetaia is just looking forward to taking back the world title that is rightfully his, before heading home for a spot of fishing and welcoming his first child.

“Losing isn’t an option to me,” he said. “I’m winning at all costs.

“I got the boat after beating Briedis the first time, and now my plan is to beat him again and go fishing on the same boat.

“I’ve got a baby on the way too, so soon, I’ll have to be asking the Mrs before I go fishing from now on.”

To watch Jai Opetaia and Fury vs Usyk, go to your favourite club or pub venue showing the fight live.

Originally published as ‘I’m chasing belts’: Jai Opetaia reveals history-making three-weight world title plan