British boxing champ Tyson Fury could take on undefeated Australian Jai Opetaia in what would be a global event in Sydney next year.
Fury’s promoter Bob Arum revealed plans are in the works to bring the two-time heavyweight world champion Down Under to square off with rising star Opetaia at Bankwest Stadium in mid-2021.
Opetaia – who holds a 19-0 record – would have to win the cruiserweight division world title and move on to the heavyweight class ahead of the match.
It has to be, from our standpoint, a competitive major event,’ Arum told the Sunday Telegraph.
‘I don’t know if he can beat Tyson, so big and talented. But this kid is very, very skillful.
‘If he comes through, it will be a major attraction.’
If all goes as planned, Arum said the fight will take place on a Sunday morning to air at prime time in the US.
Fury has had his sights set on fighting in Australia, he said, and will rake in $20million from the event.
He was reported to have made $40million after defeating American Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas last month.
‘He would love to come; we love to fight in different places,’ Arum told The Sun-Herald.
Opetaia said going up against Fury would be a ‘dream’ come true for him, having been a massive fan since he was a kid.
‘I’m a kid from the Central Coast – things like this show that hard work pays off,’ he said.
‘He’s the best heavyweights of our era at the moment. I’m a massive fan. Once we win the world title in the cruiserweight division it will put me as the first mandatory [opponent] for whoever the [heavyweight] champ is there. If it happens to be him, let’s do it.’
Fury and fellow Briton Anthony Joshua currently reign supreme in the heavyweight division.
Fury soundly defeated Deontay Wilder last month to claim the WBC belt and the pair are expected to meet for a third time in early July after the American, who fought Fury to a draw in their first meeting, triggered a rematch clause.
Source: dailymail
