Ellis Zorro is well aware of the gargantuan task at hand.

Oddsmakers have the unbeaten Brit as much as a +1000 underdog to dethrone lineal cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia this Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight represents a quantum leap in competition for the 31-year-old Zorro, who knows it will take more than the best he’s previously offered to pull off the feat.

“Honestly, against Opetaia I will need everything that I can do,” Zorro admitted to DAZN’s Ade Oladipo and Darren Barker during Wednesday’s open media workout in Riyadh. “Footwork, going forward, going back, combination punching, defense.

“I don’t think there is any one thing I can use that will win me this fight against this kind of opponent.”

Sydney’s Opetaia (23-0, 18KOs) will attempt the second defense of the lineal championship he earned in a twelve-round decision over Mairis Briedis in their thriller last July 2 in Australia’s Gold Coast. He also won the IBF belt that evening but was since relieved of his reign for failure to honor his mandatory in a rematch versus Briedis, as he opted instead for the more lucrative payday on Saturday’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ eight-fight Pay-Per-View event.

Zorro (17-0, 7KOs) is grateful that the division’s king honored his word and signed agreement, even without a physical title on the line (though Opetaia has touted The Ring championship as the belt at stake this weekend). Despite the longshot odds, he refuses to settle for a ‘really gave it a go’-level performance; anything less than a win will be viewed as a letdown by the Kent-based contender.

“This whole 'performing well,' it’s not my narrative,” insisted Zorro. “I’m an undefeated fighter. I’ve never lost as an amateur and as a pro. Obviously, this is a step up in opponent.

“But listen, I’ve been an underdog for all of my fights from the amateur days. I was never expected to do anything. That’s why I just believe in myself, believe in my skills.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox