Unscathed after a clinical world title defence, Jai Opetaia will tune up for a much sought-after Australian unification bout by preparing Tyson Fury for his shot at history.
The Gold Coast-based cruiserweight has resumed training after emphatically stopping Jordan Thompson inside four rounds to retain his IBF and The Ring belts at London's Wembley Arena two weeks ago.
The 28-year-old, who boxed at the London Olympics as a 17-year-old, moved to 23-0 with perhaps the most comfortable victory of his professional career.
Opetaia broke his jaw twice when he beat Mairis Briedis to win the world title last year, and spent months afterwards eating from a straw.
This time, after more than a year of false starts in securing a ring return, he celebrated with a stress-free European vacation.
"All those frustrations, battles with injury, postponements, s**t behind the scenes, it's happened to me so many times," Opetaia told AAP on Thursday.
"I'm kind of used to it.
"Even before Briedis, all my fights I've always had some sort of injury or worry about surgery afterwards.
"So to relax, (then) get straight back into training without the frustration was awesome.
"I'm ready to fight again next week."
He may have to wait slightly longer than that, but Opetaia's camp is hopeful they could still squeeze another fight in this year.
England's WBO belt holder Chris Billam-Smith is the target, with Opetaia hoping for a bout on the Gold Coast or at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford where he grew up.
"It's not him personally; I don't chase the names, I'm chasing the WBO belt and he has it, so that's who I want next," Opetaia said.
WBC heavyweight champion Fury will take on WBA, WBO and IBF belt holder Oleksandr Usyk on either December 23 or in early January, providing he gets through this month's exhibition clash with MMA star Francis Ngannou unscathed.
The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era, and Opetaia will join Fury's camp as a sparring partner in the lead-up.
The pair met during Fury's flying visit of Brisbane in May, but have never shared a ring.
"I'm looking forward to that opportunity, get over and mix it with the big dogs and show them what we've got," Opetaia said.
"I'm about earning respect, and once I go over there I'll do that."
Opetaia's management were unable to secure a home defence after a low-key upset of Briedis on the Gold Coast that was rated among the fights of 2022.
But in a welcome profile boost, British promoter Eddie Hearn was ringside to watch Opetaia's beatdown of the much taller Thompson and declared him a "monster" and king of the division.
"It is a little frustrating, but my time will come and it is coming and that's all that matters," Opetaia said of his relatively low profile in Australia.
"After going over there and putting on the show we did, it makes a big stadium fight in Australia even closer.
"I don't see why we can't make that happen."
