Chris Billiam-Smith says IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is not the next Oleksandr Usyk as some fans claimed. He says he never created any hype for Australia’s Opetai (25-0, 19 KO) and felt that “humanized” in his last fight against 39-year-old Mairis Briedis.
It is unclear who claimed Opetaia was the next Usyk, as the Australian rival was extremely delicate until he fought the aging Briedis. The opponent Opetaia faced were lower-level guys like Elias Zorro, Mark Flanagan, and Jordan Thompson.
Usyk on another level
Casual fans might have naively called Opetaia the next Usyk, but fans familiar with the sport saw him as a product of supple matchmaking. He fought bad opponents throughout his nine-year career. Usyk is the gold standard of what a cruiserweight should be, and Opetaia is far from it. It is a more coppery variety.
There is no comparison between Oleksandr Usyk’s talent when he fought in the cruiserweight division and Opertai’s talent. Usyk could do it all, showing incredible skills and beating a quality opponent. In contrast, Opetaia has only fought one good opponent in his entire career, and that was an older version of Briedis.
The first fight between the two made Opetaia look better than it actually was, as Briedis was returning after a long break. In the second fight last May, Briedis exposed Opetaia, putting him under constant pressure and showing he was not good at absorbing punishment.
Opetaia looked scared, dealing with the pressure, getting hurt on its beak, and facing Briedis’ withering fire. The fight showed that Opetaia is not built for combat combat and prefers to stay on the outside taking shots.
In the Riyad rematch, Opetaia looked like a bigger version of Shakur Stevenson against Briedis and it was a real eye opener.
Opetaia will defend his IBF cruiserweight title against recently defeated Jack Massey (22-2, 12 KO) in Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol on October 12 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
This is another example of Opetai fighting an underdog instead of a talented cruiserweight. Surprisingly, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh did not insist that Opetaia fight someone talented for him to appear at the October 12 event.
“He is extremely talented, Opetaia. It does a lot of things really well. He’s got quick hands, good feet, good shot selection and can hit,” said Chris Billiam-Smith. Second exit about IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetai.
“I think people say he’s like the next Usyk, which I don’t agree with. I think Usyk is a much, much better fighter than Opetaia,” Billiam-Smith said. “I think Briedis had a long break before the first fight [with Opetaia] and had a long layoff before his second fight near the end of his career, but he showed glimpses of what he was capable of.
Opetaia is just a one-dimensional pony who only throws potshots and doesn’t like to take difficult shots in her fights. Let me repeat: he has only fought one notable fighter in his entire career, Briedis, and in their second fight he did not look good.
By now, Opetaia should have fought the following cruiserweights:
– Chris Billiam-Smith – Richard Riakporhe – Lawrence’s setting – Isaac Chamberlain – Gilberto Ramirez – Noel Mikaelyan
“I think hObadiah is humanized when it comes to hype. For me, I see fighters for who they are. I think Opetaia is a fantastic player, but I never believed he was unbeatable,” said Billiam-Smith.
Years ago, it was obvious that Opetaia was facing marginal opposition, and it was surprising that it was only now, in his slow thirties, that his managers finally briefly pitted him against quality opposition against Briedis. However, now they are bringing him back to the same destitute matchmaking by putting him face to face with Massey.
“He is a fantastic champion; Briedis was a good player, but he had a bit of an edge,” Billiam-Smith said. He knew it and that’s why he retired. He probably didn’t have the same thing in him. He fought many difficult fights. He had two Super Series back to back.
“Of course he lost to Usyk in the first one and won in the second one [against Yuniel Dorticos]. He had some tough fights during that time and he boxed everyone over the years, and that will wear you down.
“I was at his training camps and I think he overdid it. He had three sparring sessions a week, at one point 15 rounds. You won’t get the best rounds in these 15 rounds. He just kept going through it,” Billiam-Smith said of Briedis.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
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