By Declan Taylor
JAI OPETAIA has warned Chris Billam-Smith to be cautious of ‘old bull’ Mateusz Masternak – and hopes to fight the winner in February.
Opetaia is at present in Australia making ready for his December 23 world title defence in opposition to Ellis Zorro in Riyadh.
But the IBF champion will likely be conserving an in depth eye on Bournemouth this weekend when heavy favorite Billam-Smith fights for the first time since beating Lawrence Okolie at the dwelling of AFC Bournemouth in May.
And though Masternak is as extensive as 3/1 with some bookmakers, Opetaia believes it is not going to be an easy evening’s work for CBS.
“I’m not sure how it goes,” Opetaia instructed Boxing News. “It’s a very good fight.
“Masternak could be very skilled, has been round for a very long time and is an efficient boxer. He’s a bit lengthy in the tooth however these previous bulls have nonetheless acquired it.
“Then Chris Billam-Smith is hard, he all the time comes to fight and it’s arduous to beat somebody who doesn’t need to lose. He believes in himself.
“I hope it’s a good fight for the crowd and I hope whoever wins reaches out so we can make that fight happen.”
Opetaia has made no secret of his need to win the WBO belt, which Billam-Smith claimed together with his upset victory in opposition to Okolie.
And the 28-year-old Australian is hoping to safe a shot at it in the first half of subsequent 12 months regardless of who wins at the Bournemouth International Centre.
He added: “We simply had some household banter round the WBO belt. It’s one thing that I’ve all the time been chasing since I used to be a youthful child. We’ve all the time been making jokes about it.
“It would be awesome to have that WBO so when that time comes, we will get the job done.”
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