Australian boxing is abuzz with optimism as legendary promoter Eddie Hearn sets his ambitions on the heavyweight prospects of local talents Jai Opetaia and Teremoana Teremoana. With Hearn firmly backing these fighters, hopes are high for their paths toward championship glory.
Hearn has his eyes set on maneuvering cruiserweight champion Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) to unify the cruiserweight division before challenging the heavyweight titan, Oleksandr Usyk. The promoter believes this strategy mirrors Usyk's own successful ascent from the cruiserweight ranks to heavyweight champion. Hearn elaborated on his plan, stating: “The only way we can get some momentum for [a fight with Usyk] is if Jai can become undisputed at cruiserweight because that's what Usyk did.”
Opetaia's immediate challenge lies with New Zealand’s David Nyika, who he faces tonight on the Gold Coast. This match presents not just his title defense but also the chance to bolster his credentials as he aims to rise through the ranks. Hearn emphasizes the significance of securing victories: “It’s our plan down the line, but let us do our job and pick up the same credentials.”
But time isn’t on Opetaia's side, as Hearn warns of the ticking clock with Usyk approaching 37 years. “It doesn’t sound realistic [for Opetaia] to collect all the titles at cruiserweight because of the time and the reluctance of the other champions,” Hearn said, adding urgency to the prospect of moving up to heavyweight.
There’s also the stirring excitement around Teremoana Teremoana, who has burst onto the scene with electrifying performances, the most recent being a sensational 57-second knockout against German fighter Osasu Otobo. This win occurred on the same fight card as Opetaia's defense, and it showcased Teremoana's tremendous potential and power. Hearn was rapt, exclaiming, “It’s time to get excited. Australian boxing is on fire right now and this is the future.”
Teremoana, at 26 years old and boasting six knockouts from six professional fights, is building momentum quickly, and both fans and experts are taking notice. Fellow Australian and WBC women's featherweight champion Skye Nicolson echoed Hearn’s enthusiasm, stating, “The hype is real. It is impossible not to like him.”
While Teremoana thrives, Opetaia’s road to the heavyweight division is lined with challenges. Hearn stated, “He’s got to unify the division. Move up to heavyweight and then convince the sport’s new billionaire match-maker it’s [the Usyk fight] worth making.” The promoter recognizes the massive financial incentives needed to secure such high-profile bouts.
Hearn’s ambitions align with the interests of Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh, who has significantly reshaped boxing’s financial dynamics, establishing Riyadh as the new heart of heavyweight boxing. There’s hope, he adds, to convince Alalshikh to make the Opetaia-Usyk match happen, contingent on Opetaia's success against Nyika and possibly Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez.
“He’s got to win [against Nyika], then hopefully he can unify the division,” Hearn said, outlining the road forward for his fighters. A bout with Ramirez, who holds the WBA and WBO titles, could be pivotal.
Each fighter's success is intertwined with the ambitions of others, and the drama of boxing is compounded by weight classes and title belts. Hearn’s passion for promoting boxing is evident, as he highlights the stakes involved. “The WBC title is … up in the air right now. So they’re the fights there for him.”
Opetaia is not just thinking about his title defenses; he’s also eager for the return to fighting on home turf after years competing abroad. “It’s been a long time coming,” he remarked, expressing his determination to deliver a crowd-pleasing performance. “This is all just through to the labor; we’ve built this division on my back.”
The excitement doesn’t end there. Hearn is counting on several high-profile matchups involving other Australian talents, including George Kambosos Jnr, who is also slated to fight on home soil. “This is part of something much bigger; it’s all about building boxing’s presence here,” Hearn noted.
Hearn has every reason to be optimistic as he watches the rise of Australian boxing and juggles the potential futures of both Opetaia and Teremoana. The combination of Opetaia’s skillset and Teremoana’s power positions Australian boxing as one to watch on the global stage.
While both fighters chart their courses through the boxing universe, the looming duel between Hearn and the heavyweight king Usyk remains tantalizingly close—if only Opetaia can unify his titles first. With strong backing from Hearn and the growing excitement among fans, the dream of seeing an Australian heavyweight champion may not be out of reach after all.
Hearn concluded, “I want the whole country to get behind this guy [Teremoana]. You could be looking at Australia’s world heavyweight champion.”