Tommy Fury has moved from a prospective traditional boxing campaign to making mega-money on the crossover scene.
Wins over Jake Paul and KSI have seen the 10-0 fighter from that famous family earn more in his tenth fight than he could have imagined when starting out in four rounders on undercards. Still, he remains adamant that he wants to win a world title before retiring.
Fury fought his last two contests at 185lbs and has been a light-heavyweight prior to that. His brother, Tyson, recently said in an interview with The MMA Hour that any 175 or 200lbs champion would be ‘over the moon’ to fight Tommy given the likely purse on offer.
Well, speaking to Fox Sports Australia, one Jai Opetaia welcomed it.
“You know, boxing is my job. It’s how I put food on the table. So while Tommy Fury isn’t on my radar, if he wants to fight for a world title, sure, he can come and get it.
“I’ll happily beat the crap out of him and get straight back to chasing those belts. I’ve never watched him live, no, but I’ve seen a few clips on social media. And he’s not s***.”
“The guy knows what he is doing and comes from a boxing family. But there are levels to this game, and I’m on the world champion level, fighting for world titles. He’s still got a long way to go to get there. But if he wants to have a crack, wants to come to Australia and put on a big fight, let’s do it.”
Undefeated Opetaia’s crowning moment came against Mairis Briedis last year when he won the IBF World Cruiserweight title via unanimous decision after battling through a broken jaw for ten of the 12 rounds.
He was properly introduced to British fans in September this year by demolishing Jordan Thompson in four rounds as his first defence, and will be sparring Tyson Fury as part of the heavyweight champ’s camp for his undisputed fight with former cruiserweight king, Oleksandr Usyk.