Here’s a bold statement: the cruiserweight division is about to get shaken up, and it’s all because of one man—Jai Opetaia. But here’s where it gets controversial: Eddie Hearn believes he’s found the underdog who could dethrone the Aussie champion, and his name is Pat Brown. Yes, you heard that right—a fighter with just five professional bouts under his belt. Intrigued? Let’s dive in.
Jai Opetaia, the IBF cruiserweight champion, has been a force to reckon with since claiming the title. The Sydney-born southpaw has twice defeated Mairis Briedis, solidifying his status as a two-time champion. Yet, despite his dominance, Opetaia has struggled to secure unification bouts, as fellow titleholders seem reluctant to step into the ring with him. Instead, he’s been forced to face lesser-known opponents, delivering knockout victories in all five of his combined title defenses over the past three and a half years. Impressive, right? But this is the part most people miss: Opetaia’s reign has been more about survival than glory, as he waits for the right opportunity to unify the division.
That opportunity might come sooner than expected. Opetaia has his eyes on the upcoming clash between unified WBA and WBO champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and fan-favorite David Benavidez. A win for either fighter could pave the way for a three-belt unification bout later this year—a dream scenario for Opetaia. But while he’s focused on that matchup, Eddie Hearn has other plans.
In a recent interview with First Round TV’s Darren Barker, Hearn dropped a bombshell: he wants to pit Opetaia against 2024 Olympian Pat Brown ‘as soon as possible.’ Brown, a rising star with a perfect 5-0 record (all by knockout), is targeting a rapid ascent up the rankings in 2026. Hearn is convinced Brown is a ‘monster’ in the making, despite his limited experience. ‘I know he needs another two, three, four fights, but we can do that quickly,’ Hearn said. ‘Do you honestly see those [elite] guys standing up to him? I know Jai is another level, but Pat has a granite chin, a great IQ, and he hits like a truck.’
Hearn’s confidence in Brown is undeniable. He’s already planning to position Brown as a mandatory challenger for a world title by the end of the year. But here’s the controversial question: Is Hearn underestimating Opetaia, or is he onto something? Can a fighter with just five professional bouts really challenge a proven champion like Opetaia? It’s a bold claim, and one that’s sure to spark debate.
For now, both fighters have their immediate futures mapped out. Brown is set to compete on a card at Planet Ice in Altrincham on April 3, while Opetaia will face Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas on March 8 for the inaugural Zuffa Cruiserweight Title. These fights will be crucial stepping stones, but the real question remains: Will we see Opetaia vs. Brown in the near future? And if so, who walks away the victor?
What do you think? Is Pat Brown ready for the big leagues, or is Eddie Hearn jumping the gun? Let us know in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
