A current cruiserweight world champion wants a surprising heavyweight move and a fight against the undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk beat Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become the undisputed heavyweight king for the second time in his career.
His second win against Dubois marks his seventh win over British heavyweight fighters, including two wins each against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The accolade of being the top heavyweight in the world is all the more impressive given he started his professional career as a cruiserweight in 2013.
I would love to face Oleksandr Usyk, says cruiserweight world champion eyeing a surprising heavyweight move
After clearing out his division in the World Boxing Super Series tournament, unifying all the belts, and brutally defeating Liverpool’s Tony Bellew, he moved up and dominated his second division.
Now he has an important decision to make on his next career move following his victories, with rumours hinting that he wants one more fight in boxing.
One fighter with ambitions to replicate Usyk’s successful career moves is IBF champion Jai Opetaia, who is now exploring his own move to heavyweight with one eye on the Ukrainian.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, the Australian champion explained whether he would take a fight against the best heavyweight in the world or fight a champion in his own division, Badou Jack.
Opetaia said: “I’d love to test myself, and he’s the best of this generation at the moment. So, to share the ring with him and really see how good I am, I would love to do that.
“I’d have to take Usyk, like Usyk’s the top of the tree in any weight division. He’s number one on everyone’s pound-for-pound list.
“So, that’s a fight that you just can’t say no to, and I respect the sport of boxing.”
Although it was not only the 38-year-old that he could see a future fight with, but also the young Moses Itauma, whom he has immense respect for.
Jai Opetaia’s surprising heavyweight move could be sooner than expected
His main ambition, however, is to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion after holding the IBF title for three years.
While he has racked up six defences of his belt, he has been unable to get the other two champions in Jack or Gilberto Ramirez in the ring, which is unlikely to change.
He has expressed that a move to heavyweight now would have to be for a world title or a Usyk clash; the status of his fellow cruiserweight foes may force a quicker move.
Badou has been exploring a rematch with Noel Mikaelian after he controversially took home a majority decision victory.
Ramirez, after appearing on the Jake Paul undercard, has had surgery on his shoulder, ruling him out of action for a short time.
As both seem destined to look elsewhere or cannot compete due to injuries, Opetaia may find himself in the heavyweight division sooner than expected.