There are a few reasons why cruiserweight Jai Opetaia has become so popular, so quickly with boxing fans.

Everybody likes to watch a fight and Opetaia all but guarantees action when he ducks between the ropes. He is also extremely adept at finishing a fight quickly, 18 of his 23 victories have come inside the distance.

It is the Australian’s attitude that sets him apart, however.

At a time when fighters talk like businessmen and businessmen talk like fighters, there is absolutely no question as to what Opetaia is.

Yes, he knows his value and wants to earn as much as he can but first and foremost, Opetaia is a fighter to his core. 

“I’m just trying to be myself and stick to what I know. Going through my career I’ve always had people tell me I have to do things to sell myself and I’ve always told them the same thing. All I want to do is win and the rest will fall into place. That’s all that’s happening,” Opetaia told BoxingScene.com.

“I’m just trying to let my fighting do the talking and sticking to what I know. I’m blessed to have a good team around me and I have people that are actually in this for the right reasons. There are a few snakes in the grass in the distance but I’ve got a good circle around me and that’s why I get to be myself and fly my flag proudly.”

Opetaia - who fights the unbeaten Ellis Zorro on this weekend’s massive ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia - has won the respect of his peers as well as the fans. Speak to any fighter outside of his weight class and they generally love the no-nonsense way he goes about his work whilst his cruiserweight rivals - those who may have to deal with him one day - reign in the praise but speak about him with a healthy amount of respect.

“So they should,” he said. 

“If they’re gonna fight me they’ve gotta come correct. I’m in this sport to win. I’ve still got a lot of boxes to tick and the job isn’t even half done as far as I’m concerned.

“Every time I step in that ring it is strictly business. I’m making my way up and building a profile and at the end of the day, the thing that fuels me the most is my family and being able to provide for them. That fuels me in the gym every day. These people are in my way. It’s nothing personal. At the end of the day I want everybody to go home safely to their families but when we’re in that ring the switch flicks and it’s time for business. That’s what I do and I’m ready to go again.”

Opetaia has relinquished his IBF cruiserweight title after the strict governing body forbade him from fighting Zorro and banking the resultant paycheck, insisting that he must rematch former champion, Mairis Briedis next.

Opetaia will feel particularly hard done to given that Briedis was happy for Opetaia to stay busy and fight him early in 2024 plus the fact that he went through hell to win the IBF title in the first place, overcoming a double break of the jaw to outlast the tough Latvian in July 2022.

Belt or no belt, he is still regarded as the best cruiserweight on the planet and Saturday night’s card gives him the ideal opportunity to showcase his skills to the world. Opetaia is sharing the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the sport this weekend but has designs on taking centre stage himself in the not too distant future.

“This is a huge card to be a part of. I’m pumped to get in the ring. I’ve worked extremely hard to get to these platforms and they’re finally here and I’m excited for it,” he said.

“I let my fighting do the talking. I train hard and I’m ready for anything that comes at me in the ring. We get in there and perform. We perfect the craft every day. Every day we’re training, pushing my body and getting stronger and faster. I’m only 28. I’ve still got a lot of stuff ready to go. I’m excited, I’m pumped.

“At first I was working my arse off to get onto these stages. Now I’ve got to work my arse off to work my way up closer to the main event until I become the main event. The sky’s the limit.”

If you haven’t already worked it out, there is absolutely no chance of Opetaia taking Ellis Zorro lightly this weekend. Being forced to give up the IBF title he fought so hard to win is only likely to further harden his resolve and determination to prove himself the best cruiserweight in the world. Zorro has been presented with the chance of a lifetime and will give his all on Saturday night but Opetaia insist he is ready and willing to deal with whatever comes his way.

“I am training for anything. I’m fit, strong and ready. If he wants to try and stay on the back foot and box, let’s do it. If he wants to come in, brawl and bite down on his mouthguard, let’s do it. It doesn’t matter where it goes.

“I’m prepared. I’m grinding. Every day I’m pushing my body to the limits. People talk about deep waters and how far they’ll go but I live it every day so however he comes, whatever he does, bring me your best. Come correct.”