Australia’s Jai Opetaia has been described as one of the most exciting fighters on the planet during a bizarre press conference exchange that also appeared to have him likened to Evander Holyfield — albeit when Mike Tyson bit his ear off.
Arguably the No.1 fighter in Australia right now, Opetaia is looking to confirm the rank officially when he rematches Mairis Briedis for the IBF cruiserweight world title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Sunday.
It has now been almost two years since Opetaia, 28, earned the belt during a brutal war that saw the Central Coast product fight, and win, with a jaw fractured on both sides.
While he has since been contentiously stripped of said belt, the Aussie remains unbeaten, The Ring cruiserweight champ and according to promoter Eddie Hearn, ready “to establish himself as one of the greatest fighters on the planet”.
During a press conference in Riyadh on Friday morning (AEST), Hearn also described Opetaia as one of the most exciting fighters anywhere in global boxing right now.
The praise came as the Australian, who is looking to become the nation’s only male boxing world champion, also insisted he was “the next generation of greatness”, adding “it’s my time now”.
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When Briedis took his turn at the microphone however, the former champ appeared to liken Opetaia fighting with a busted jaw in their first showdown to that of Holyfield having his ear gnawed on by Iron Mike.
The Latvian even acknowledged Holyfield, who is not only in Riyadh for fight week, but was sat front row for the press event alongside another heavyweight great in Lennox Lewis.
The pair are among a host of celebrity guests who will be in Saudi for the blockbuster card headlined by a world title showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – which doubles as the first undisputed heavyweight clash since Lewis bested Holyfield 25 years ago.
Yet rather than discuss that fight, Briedis instead recounted Holyfield’s crazy 1997 showdown against Tyson — where he was twice bitten on the ear, losing some of it, before his rival was disqualified.
“Mr Holyfield is very smart,” he said.
“When he fought with Mike Tyson, and Tyson bite his ear … then he make big business.
“And when we fight with Jai and I crush his jaw, I don’t have so good managers … but OK.”
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The statement was apparently not meant as any type of slight towards the Australian however, with Briedis then continuing: “For Jai I have big respect.
“When we fought, I see real warrior in the ring, how he can fight with this big injury.
“Big respect.
“I hope in the ring, the win goes to whoever is the stronger boxer.
“Good luck to both of us”.
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Opetaia, meanwhile, said he now feels like “a whole different version” of the fighter who went and won IBF gold in such incredible fashion.
“I’ve picked it up a few levels,” he said.
“I’m 28, going into my prime.
“I feel like I’m the next generation of greatness coming through.
“I look around (in fight week) and see greatness everywhere.
“And I’m honoured to be in front of them.
“But it’s my time now.
“I feel I’m the next generation of greatness.”
Hearn went even further up on stage, saying of Opetaia: “The guy to my right has been a revelation.
“Pound for pound, one of the most exciting fighters on the planet.
“Two great wins against two very good British fighters (in his last two appearances) but now he’s in with an elite guy who he has already shared the ring with.
“And if you haven’t seen Briedis versus Opetaia one, make sure you watch it back because it was brutal.
“And you’re going to see another emphatic performance from the man to my right as he establishes himself as one of the greatest fighters on the planet.”
In a Matchroom promotional video released this week, Opetaia also stressed he did not view Briedis as an underdog, despite having beaten him last start with a jaw busted in two places.
“I’m not looking at him as an underdog at all,” the Aussie said.
“I’m looking at him as Briedis.
“The same as I looked at him going into the first fight.
“If anything, I’m expecting a more aggressive Briedis.
“I know he’s going to come out swinging, he has to.
“If he tries to sit back and box, he’s going to have more trouble like he did in the first rounds of our fight.
“And I haven’t got a broken jaw this time.
“So I can stay in the clinch.
“He’s going to feel my power.
“Because I box so well, they think they can come in and bully me because I move so well.
“But once I start to sit on my punches they’ll say ‘f… he can bang as well’.”
Later, he added: “The confidence comes from the hard work.
“From the days and deep waters I’ve pushed my body through.
“I just feel like it’s impossible to f…ing out do me.
“I’m pushing my body to the limits.
“I’m trying not to f…ing hurt myself every day.
“I’m chasing pain every day.”