Joy Opetaya reiterated Saturday that he plans to quickly become the undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2025 and then move up to heavyweight to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for his belts if he still holds them.

size difference

Usyk and Joy met during the Ring Awards on Saturday. When they stood side by side, Usyk looked much bigger than the 6'2″ Opatija. If this fight is made, Opetaya will not enjoy his natural size advantage, which he has come to rely on at cruiserweight.

Furthermore, his one-armed fighting style could get him schooled and embarrassed by USC. Joy uses a hybrid Bivol-esque style that he apparently learned from watching the former WBA light heavyweight champion. Usyk has seen that style often in his years on the Ukrainian amateur circuit and will easily overcome it.

If Usyk loses his title Daniel Dubois In a rematch, this is going to put Opatya in a position where he has to decide whether to go after the belts against the powerful power puncher. Fighting Usyk anyway would be a bad look on Opetaia's part.

That would make him look like a coward. If that fight ever happens, Joy is going to be underdogs against Dubois. Even if Opetaya bulks up, he's going to be smaller next to DuBois inside the ring. I do not see a favorable outcome for the Australians. He is not another Evander Holyfield. He doesn't have that kind of talent.

Opetaia's promoter, Eddie Hearn, needs to set up his much-needed unification bouts against WBC champ Badou Jack and WBA and WBO belt holder Gilberto 'Jurdo' Ramirez to become the cruiserweight champion this year to have a shot at achieving his goal.

IBF cruiserweight champ Opetaya (27-0, 21 KOs) knocked out challenger David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) in the fourth round on January 8 at the Gold Coast Convention Center in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.

Cruiserweight first

“I'm glad it turned out that way. Fans got what they wanted. It was good to be back home, and have such energy,” Joy Opetaya told TalkSport BoxingDavid discusses his recent win over Nike in Australia on January 8th

“No, I'm good to go again. I'm chasing that unification fight,” Opetaya said, reacting as his face looked unmarked less than a week after a four-round battle with heavy puncher Nike.

“I got a little complacent. After the first round, I had this picture in my head of a Hagler-Hearns type fight,” Opetaia said of the 6’6″ Nike hitting him with some big shots in the contest. “It was nice to be a part of it. I am happy to have a good show and a good fight.

“Definitely, man. That's the goal,” Opetaya said of becoming undisputed at cruiserweight and then moving up to heavyweight to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for his world title.

Oleksandr Usyk with Joy Opetaya #TheRingAwards pic.twitter.com/9zNJoeq1Ax

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) January 11, 2025