After years of being “disrespected” by those within the sport, the time has come for Australia to get behind the “best boxer in the country”, according to Jeff Fenech.

While the majority of Aussies have been throwing their support behind Tim Tszyu – with his status as the son of iconic champion Kostya coupling with a fantastic rise to the world stage – Jai Opetaia has been putting together an incredible resume to less fanfare.

The current IBF and The Ring world champion, Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) has established himself as perhaps the most feared cruiserweight on the planet in recent years.

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The 30-year-old has torn through opponents both at home and abroad, while his two wins over Mairis Briedis – which included winning the gold with a broken jaw – have become stuff of legend within the hardcore boxing community.

Opetaia has become a personal favourite of world-renowned promoter Eddie Hearn after signing a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing in 2023 and has since fought on blockbuster cards in Saudi Arabia featuring the likes of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Despite all this, Opetaia hasn’t fully won over the casual Aussie audience yet and according to Fenech, it’s time he was pushed into the spotlight in his home country.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports, the former world champion was quizzed about why Opetaia hasn’t received the same plaudits as some of his Aussie counterparts.

His response saw the Hall of Famer go to town on those in the Aussie scene.

“Jai Opetaia is the best fighter in the country, he has been for years,” Fenech said.

“Nobody knows about Jai – Fox never put him on TV, nobody ever said anything about him, because they are that stupid. It’s a joke, the sport is a joke.

“You mean to tell me that there wasn’t somebody out there that had eyes and could see that Jai Opetaia was going to be a great fighter? Even when Jai was 17, I said that this kid could be the greatest fighter in Australian history.

“Australia missed out on watching a great go through his infancy and become a great fighter, because of the jealousy and the shit that goes on in the sport.

“You get your kudos when you earn it and he’s earned it for the last three or four years and still got nothing from Australia. If I was him, you know what I’d be saying to Australia and all those idiots that have disrespected him and didn’t care about him.” 

Opetaia’s next task on the road to become an undisputed world champion will see him take on Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who holds both the WBA and WBO titles.

Ramirez (47-1) is an elite-level talent but has yet to step into the ring with Opetaia – something that Fenech believes might be for good reason.

“Everybody says they want it until it’s signed on paper,” he said.

“Everybody says they will fight somebody until the contract comes in front of them and they ask for more, because they don’t want to fight.

“If they fight, Jai will have no problem, because Jai is too skilful.” 

Opetaia last fought on the Gold Coast in June, recording a dominant fifth-round knockout win over Claudio Squeo.