Oleksandr Usyk could fall short against Jai Opetaia, according to an icon who’s shared the ring with the two-weight undisputed world champion.
Back in 2018, the Ukrainian walked away from the cruiserweight division after winning the World Boxing Super Series and brutally knocking out Tony Bellew.
At the time, there was no one left to fight, with Usyk having to find new challenges up at heavyweight in the form of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
However, in the years since, a new threat has emerged in his old division, who could eventually make the move to the sport’s heaviest weight class himself.
Mairis Breidis says why Oleksandr Usyk could lose to Jai Opetaia
In the semi-final of the 2018 cruiserweight world boxing super series, Oleksandr Usyk went to war with Mairis Breidis, with the Ukrainian scraping away with the victory by the narrowest of margins.
The Latvian, who won the tournament the following year, eventually lost his IBF belt against Jai Opetaia, before failing to reclaim it in the rematch.
Therefore, he’s the perfect person to give a prediction on who’d come out on top if Usyk and Opetaia ever went head-to-head inside the ring.
While Breidis rates both men very highly, he’s pointed out an area where the reigning WBA, WBO and WBC heavyweight champion is at a disadvantage.
The ex-three-time world champion told The Ring Magazine: “Opetaia vs Usyk at heavyweight is a very difficult fight between two amazing champions.
“Usyk is more experienced, but isn’t so young. The fighter you’ll always lose to is Father Time.”
Jai Opetaia claims he would ‘bash’ Jake Paul
On Sunday, Opetaia will look to make a huge statement when he defends his title against Claudio Squeo at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.
With a win, the Australian could move one step closer to a showdown with Usyk.
However, a clash with the pound-for-pound number one isn’t the only potential contest on his mind.
With confidence flowing through his veins, Opetaia is adamant he’d ‘bash’ Jake Paul.