Jack Massey to fight for IBF world cruiserweight title on Saturday

Jack Massey will face the stiffest challenge of his career on Saturday, when he challenges Jai Opetaia for the IBF cruiserweight title in Saudi Arabia.

The Chapel-en-le-Frith boxer – a former IBO world champion, himself – is a heavy underdog against the Australian, who has won each of his 25 fights, 19 by knock-out. 

Opetaia won the belt with a unanimous decision over Latvia’s Mairis Briedis earlier in the year, while 'One Smack’ Massey is the reigning Commonwealth and European cruiserweight champion. 

The High Peak hitter has won 22 of his 24 fights, the only blots on his record coming against Richard Riakporhe in a domestic title bout in 2019, and being on the wrong end of a unanimous decision against former WBO world champion Joseph Parker, when he stepped up to heavyweight in January 2023. 

However, Massey relishes being the longshot, especially after battling to a points win over the much-fancied Isaac Chamberlain at Selhurst Park in June. 

“I know an opportunity when I see one and I’m going to give it my all,” he said at a press conference in Riyadh. “We’re both killers. It’s going to make a fantastic fight, a very tasty fight. 

"I’m not just another Brit coming over here to take a knee or a payday. You’re sadly mistaken. I’m coming home with that title, my little girl is seeing that title." 

The contest is on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev v Dimitrii Bivol unification mega-fight, in which all four light heavy world championship belts are on the line.