Forget George Kambosos over Teofimo Lopez and Jeff Horn over Manny Pacquiao: Aussie boxer aims to score biggest upset in nation’s HISTORY when he takes on world champ this weekend
Jai Opetaia has a shot at becoming the cruiserweight world champion on Saturday when he takes on reigning title-holder Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast.
The Latvian (28-1, 20KO) is making his second defence of the IBF and Ring Magazine belts he won by majority decision against Yuniel Dorticos two years ago.
Brieidis’ only career loss was a narrow points decision against undefeated heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk four years ago, while Opetaia (21-0, 17KO) is yet to taste defeat since turning professional.
Jai Opetaia is hoping to become the cruiserweight world champion on Saturday
The Australian, however, hasn’t stepped into a ring in 18 months due to a combination of Covid-19 and injuries to his ribs and hand, which he’s only recently recovered from.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, promoter Dean Lonergan suggested Opetaia beating Brieidis would be the biggest upset in the history of Australian boxing.
‘In my opinion, this would be the greatest upset in Australian boxing history. […] I don’t think there’s any athlete in boxing history who has had to overcome what Jai has had to overcome,’ he said.
Lonergan is well versed when it comes to stunning upsets, given he was the man who organised the fight between Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao.
The Australian takes on reigning IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world champion Mairis Briedis (left) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach
The Latvian has won 28 of his 29 professional fights, 20 of them by KO
The Australian famously beat the then-WBO welterweight champion by unanimous decision at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
Incidentally, Opetaia’s fight against Brieidis at the Gold Coast Convention Centre falls five years to the day since Horn defeated Pacquiao.
‘It’s really cool he gets to do it on the same day that I did,’ Horn, who was Opetaia’s teammate at the London 2012 Olympics, said.
‘He’s got a big challenge in front of him, it’s a tough job but I’m sure he’s done the work and has the belief in himself that he can do it.
The fight falls five years to the day since Jeff Horn stunned Manny Pacquiao (above)
‘The 2012 crew from the Olympics have done really well in the professional boxing ranks and hopefully he continues that.
‘He’s got a lot to talk about if he’s able to get this victory. He’s had a hell of a lot of things to go through to get to this position.’
Horn isn’t the only Australian boxer to defy odds on the biggest stage, with George Kambosos stripping Teofimo Lopez of his WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight belts in November last year.
In November last year, George Kambosos stripped Teofimo Lopez of his WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight belts at Madison Square Garden
Opetaia has struggled with a hand injury for the best part of the last five years and underwent surgery to address the issue earlier this year, before he went under the knife again in April following a rib injury.
Despite the fitness problems, Horn backs his former Australian teammate to get the job done on Saturday.
‘I don’t think it will be a bigger upset [than his win over Pacquiao], because I know how good Jai is,’ he said.
Source: Daily Mail Online