‘Bro, go to sleep’: Opetaia’s power move for Vegas tilt
Murray Wenzel |
Jai Opetaia has weaponised the power nap as the irrepressible Australian cruiserweight prepares to make a statement on his biggest stage yet.
The unbeaten former IBF world champion will look to extend his record to 31-0 against confident German-Armenian Noel Mikaelian at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEST).
Mikaelian (28-3) holds the division’s WBC belt but, as happened to Opetaia, faces the likelihood of it being stripped once he fights under Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing banner this weekend.
The rebel organisation, not recognised by boxing’s ‘Big Four’ governing bodies, has faced continual roadblocks since inception and this week’s been no different after legendary promoter Don King filed a cease and desist letter to have the fight scrapped.
White, Opetaia and Mikaelian, who took the fight after aborting futile negotiations with King to unify against two-belt cruiserweight champion David Benavidez in his first defence, have all shrugged off those threats.
In fact Opetaia, four years after first winning his world title straps, is so used to the territory that he’s been able to sleep on it.
The Australian-Samoan, based on the Gold Coast, said he had traditionally worked overtime and “chased the pain” during pre-fight camps.
But he’s struck a finer balance this time after preparing at an all-purpose fitness resort in Phuket, Thailand.
“It was something new … getting told to have more rest, ‘Bro, go to sleep’,” Opetaia told AAP of his regular power naps before facing off with Mikaelian for the first time in Vegas.
“That’s hard; my mind’s always ticking. Especially in camp, getting ready for a guy willing to take everything from you.
“I’m thinking he’s another me, training hard, so I’ve got to match it.
“But I got my rest knowing I’d ticked every box and earnt it.”
Training in a steamy open-air gym, Opetaia mixed it up with hilly road runs and turned his phone off to arrive in Las Vegas fresher than ever.
“It’s made a huge difference, even just a 45 minute nap in between sessions,” he said.
“Usually I’m just geed up; busy, busy, busy.
“It’s probably the best I’ve felt, like a phone battery recharging.”
With Mikaelian committed in Vegas, Benavidez is eyeing a clash with Michal Cieslak, who will likely earn full WBC status if Mikaelian is stripped, in December.
Both Opetaia and Mikaelian have expressed interest in fighting Benavidez and ironically could get their shot next, with the American’s camp keen to fight this Sunday’s winner next May in another Las Vegas showstopper.
Opetaia, one of Zuffa’s biggest signings, will share the stage with Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn in an arena that packs in 20,000 for boxing and UFC events.
“It’s exciting and I deserve to be here,” Opetaia said.
“You don’t make it here by accident.
“I’m here with my family; my circle’s tight and we’ve travelled the world together and we’re conquering it.
“People will remember our name when we leave. We’re honoured to be here but we deserve to be here.”
AAP