Opetaia vs Wilder heavyweight debate
by Yamanaka: Jai Opetaia
Chris Algieri isn't doubting Jai Opetaia's frame or his skill set. He thinks Opetaia can hang at heavyweight. His issue is the timing, and the man in the other corner. Deontay Wilder is still one of boxing's most dangerous punchers. Anyone stepping up to heavyweight for the first time against him is signing up for a real test. Opetaia has unfinished work at cruiserweight. He's chasing supremacy in that division, and a matchup with David Benavidez is on the table. So why rush the move up? If the Wilder fight happens, who wins? And should Opetaia take that risk at this stage?
Transcript (en)
They're talking about, this is interesting. I don't know how realistic this really is. They're talking about Jai Opatia for Deontay Wilder. Interesting fight for a lot of reasons because I've said this before. I think Jai actually truly is a heavyweight and he's cutting himself down to cruiserweight. He's a very big cruiserweight. I think he'll do well at heavyweight. It's interesting to be forced into a situation like this where you got to jump up when you don't really need to. He's trying to unify. He wants to be the cruiserweight king and he might be seen like that. He is the ring champion. He is the Zufa champion. But he's this. But still, there's David Benavidez there. He has not closed the door on cruiserweight yet. And I think to force him up to fight at heavy against Deontay, which is a dangerous first fight at heavyweight. I don't care who the hell you are. I don't know how realistic that fight is, but it's an interesting name to put together.
