Jai Opetaia feels that Anthony Joshua is a “soldier” and may take the rematch with IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. Opetaia says that’s what he would do.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
If Joshua follows Opetaia’s recommendation, he might have his profession upended with a second brutal knockout loss to Dubois. AJ was knocked clear out by the younger lion. It’s dangerous for him to take a rematch instantly somewhat than dealing with a non-puncher subsequent.
Joshua’s state of affairs is barely completely different from that of the 29-year-old IBF cruiserweight champion Opetaia as a result of he’s not as younger and could be dealing with a fighter who destroyed him in 5 rounds final month in a one-sided battle at Wembley Stadium on September twenty first.
AJ turns 35 on October fifteenth, and he has many tough avenue miles from his 11-year skilled profession. He’s not in his prime like Opetaia, combating in a weak division just like the cruiserweight division. The Australian fighter has a very good factor competing in his division as a result of he doesn’t have to fret the way in which Joshua does.
“Why wouldn’t you wish to take the rematch? If I used to be him, I’d take the rematch. Why not?” mentioned Jai Opetaia to Secondsout when requested if Anthony Joshua ought to take the rematch in opposition to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
It’s laborious to take Opetaia critically when he says he’d take a rematch if he have been in an analogous state of affairs as Joshua. Would he actually select to battle somebody who had knocked him out the way in which AJ was? I don’t suppose he would if it had meant that his profession and cash alternatives would drop off.
“It’s heavyweight boxing; something might occur. Get in there. You already know AJ, he’s a soldier. He by no means backs down from a problem. He’s at all times working actually laborious, ticking each field going right into a battle. He’s a machine. So, why not?” mentioned Opetaia.
Joshua has at all times educated laborious and are available into his fights in nice form. That doesn’t imply that he can take the laborious headshots that the youthful heavyweights like Dubois are going to be hitting him with. That’s the true drawback. Joshua is sort of a automotive that’s fastened up, however the engine is shot to items.
“It’s nice for boxing. It’s opened up the heavyweight division much more,” mentioned Opetaia on Dubois’ upset of Joshua. “There’s one other huge identify in boxing. AJ is such an enormous identify with no world title. You might have Daniel Dubois, who has constructed himself up.”
It’s not nice for the heavyweight division that Dubois’ star has risen whereas Joshua’s has imploded. That’s not good as a result of Dubois isn’t going to be the sort of star that Joshua has been. So long as Joshua can hold plugging alongside for an additional three to 4 years, it’s a optimistic that Dubois has grow to be one of many huge names.
“He’s solely 27 years outdated; it’s loopy. You have a look at the errors he’s made. He was solely younger. It was all a rollercoaster to the place he’s now, and it’s made the world of boxing extra thrilling. I respect AJ, and I respect Dubois,” mentioned Opetaia.
Jai Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title in opposition to Jack Massey on October twelfth on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on the Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The occasion shall be proven stay on DAZN PPV. Opetaia has taken criticism from fand for selecting to defend in opposition to Massey somewhat than one of many gifted contenders within the division. Massey isn’t considered as a compelling opponent for Opetaia in comparison with fighters like Chris Billiam-Smith and Gilberto Ramirez. Nonetheless, the cruiserweight division is weak, and there’s not a lot expertise obtainable. Therefore, Opetaia is a champion somewhat than a contender.
