Jai Opetaia is forecast to surge into the world's top-10 pound-for-pound boxers as his promoter insists a heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk is no "fairytale".
The Australian improved to 27-0 on Wednesday, his 21st stoppage arguably his most devastating in a fourth-round knockout of brave challenger David Nyika on the Gold Coast.
The stunning victory after a brutal back-and-forth slugfest saw the 29-year-old retain his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts and make an undeniable case for long-awaited unification.
Opetaia first won those belts in a Gold Coast upset more than two years ago but, despite his willingness to fight fellow 200-pound champions, has remained on the divisional conveyer belt.
That should all change now after his brutal take-down of Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Nyika, who was cleared of serious injury after hospital scans early on Thursday morning and left nursing a fractured nose.
There are hoops to jump through but a May battle in Saudi Arabia with experienced two-division champion Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez (47-1), who owns the WBA and WBA cruiserweight straps, is the obvious next step for the Australian.
Opetaia's British promoter Eddie Hearn's clear plan is for Opetaia to scoop those belts, add the WBC belt currently held by Swede Badou Jack and then move up to heavyweight and take on undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, potentially in a Suncorp Stadium mega-bout.
"I'm looking down the road ... Jai's humble and committed to the cruiserweight division," Hearn said post-fight.
"The short-term focus is another belt, ASAP.
"The medium focus is every belt and the long-term focus, why not, is to fight Usyk for the world heavyweight championship."
Opetaia hadn't fought in Australia since July 2022, when he upset Mairis Briedis despite breaking his jaw twice.
Hearn argued he should already be among the pound-for-pound top-10 given his knockout exploits but his performance in a sell-out of his much-hyped homecoming should seal it.
"He should have been a national hero (after his 2022 win)," Hearn said.
"Now he's starting to get the recognition he deserves."
But Opetaia, almost a decade into his professional career after fighting at the Olympics as a 17-year-old, knows the path in boxing is winding.
"Honestly I don't pick fights ... we'd take it (an Usyk fight) with both hands but we're looking for unification fights otherwise it's all just fairytale s***," he said.
"Everyone wants to fight everyone. I have respect for every fighter out there.
"I'm just trying to chase progress."
Opetaia admitted he was shocked and rocked by Queensland-based Nyika's aggressive start, the 10-0 fighter wobbling the champion in an even first three rounds after taking the bout on just three weeks' notice.
"He got me with a decent shot," Opetaia smirked.
"We built this fight up; he talked alot and I thought he was talking s***, but he came out and showed heart.
"Plan was to box smart but when it happens like that, with that rivalry, I respect that.
"He's a great fighter and I don't think he'll get as much credit as he deserves."
Australia's only current male boxing world champion underlined his status as the country's pound-for-pound king on Wednesday, embracing his Samoan heritage in a slick production that had a heavy Pasifika flavour.
"The crowd was amazing, I dream of moments like this and it's been a long time coming," he said.
"I'm happy it's all happening and now we're moving forward."
