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“I won’t be bullied”: Jack Massey ahead of IBF world title opportunity

Jack Massey says he won’t be bullied by Jai Opetaia ahead of huge IBF world title clash this weekend in Saudi Arabia’s capital.

Massey (23-2-0) will undoubtedly face the toughest test of his career on Saturday but backs himself to beat the Australian favourite Opetaia (25-0-0), who is ranked as the best cruiserweight on the planet by Ring Magazine.

“I expect him to try and bully his way through the fight but that’s not going to happen.” Massey told Sportsbyte. “I’m expecting a fast start from him (Opetaia), but I like being the underdog as its less pressure on myself. It would mean everything to me to win a world title, this moment right here is why I started boxing at the age of 11.”

Fighting out of Chapel-en-le-Frith in Derbyshire, Massey is coming off a career best performance in June beating fellow Brit Isaac Chamberlain by unanimous decision to win the Commonwealth and European cruiserweight titles – putting him in the position to fight IBF title holder Opetaia on one of the biggest cards of the year.

“I’m really excited (to be fighting in Saudi Arabia). They are changing boxing massively over here and they are making the big fights happen. I’m also so proud to be on a historical card with huge fights like Beterbiev vs Bivol.”

Massey has tasted defeat twice as a professional boxer, with his first loss coming back in 2019 after a highly competitive fight with Richard Riakporhe for the British cruiserweight title, which he lost by unanimous decision. His second defeat came just last year, moving up to heavyweight and taking on former WBO heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker, again which he lost by decision in a closely contested affair.

“The Joseph Parker fight definitely stands out as a fight that has given me experience I will need to be victorious on Saturday night. But also, my last fight against Chamberlain has put me in really good stead for this.”

Massey’s opponent Opetaia will fight in his fifth world title fight on Saturday. The Aussie southpaw will also fight in Saudi Arabia for the second consecutive time after outpointing rival Mairis Briedis earlier this year on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s undisputed collision with Oleksandr Usyk.

The Australian champion is a heavy favourite to beat Massey in Saturday’s world title clash, however upsets are a commodity in the sport of boxing.

“I’m looking forward to showing the world I’m no longer the underdog. My focus has been doing this for my little girl, wife, family and fans. I will bring that world title home.”

Massey’s quest for gold is the chief support on Saturday night, before two light-heavyweight greats; Beterbiev and Bivol take centre stage and battle it out for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship.