Jack Massey's dream fight could be a nightmare against the new cruiserweight king

Cruiserweight Jack Massey is another Rocky story not unlike our own Chris Billam-Smith’s. Unfancied for much of his career, he is driven by an underdog mentality.

Like Billam-Smith he has a defeat to Richard Riakporhe on his record, a close decision in his 11th fight four years ago that he thought should have been his.

His only other loss came at heavyweight when he answered a shock call to fight Joseph Parker in a ten-rounder in Manchester. Next weekend on the Bivol/Beterbiev undercard in Riyadh he gets his dream shot in the big time against IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.

As he showed in pushing Riakporhe so close and beating Isaac Chamberlain last time out, Massey is a good, aggressive fighter. But I’m not sure he has the finesse at the highest level to disrupt Opetaia, who looked the real deal in ending the career of the great Mairis Breidis in his last fight.

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Massey, from Derbyshire, has talked about fighting Billam-Smith in what I’m sure it would be a great domestic showdown, but he has a massive job on his hands against Opetaia.

Billam-Smith is just back from a whistle-stop visit to LA to promote the defence of his WBO title against Gilberto Ramirez in November. He was on the ground for 12 hours. He landed at midday, did the presser, hit the running machine in the gym then flew back that night. That’s the dedication of a champion, underlining an approach that has taken him all the way to the top.

Whilst he is focused solely on Ramirez, I will be watching Opetaia and Massey with interest. Opetaia is a very good all-rounder. He can box as well as punch and has that Samoan toughness about him.

Breidis and Oleksandr Usyk were the superstars of the cruiserweight division. At 27, with two victories over Breidis to his name, Opetaia has assumed that mantle to an extent. At his level it is all about the details and I think he will have too much for Massey. Should the fight go as I expect, a unification fight against Opetaia would be a fight people would want to see.

Nothing surprises us with Billam-Smith anymore. He is super bright, has real heart and is still improving as he showed avenging the Riakporhe loss. Though outclassed in his only defeat to Dimity Bivol in his last fight at light heavyweight, Ramirez stepped up to beat Joe Smith Jnr in his next fight at cruiserweight.

We are expecting a tough engagement. And the Gentleman, as always, will be ready.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @‌ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_gym