JAI OPETAIA took 44 punches to his stomach in a brutal training routine ahead of his blockbuster bout this weekend.
The IBF cruiserweight champion, 29, is set to defend his belt against Britain’s Jack Massey in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Aussie Opetaia has been stepping up his preparation for the fight with intense training sessions.
In footage filmed by SunSport, the southpaw can be seen taking 44 shots to the stomach in quick succession.
Throughout the 34-second sequence, Opetaia makes no attempt to fight back or defend the blows.
The 25-0 bruiser was last in action in May against Mairis Briedis.
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On that occasion he earned back his IBF title, having previously vacated the belt.
Massey, 31, will attempt to dethrone Opetaia in Saturday’s much-anticipated bout.
The Cheshire-lad spent 2022 scaffolding with his brother, before a narrow points loss to heavyweight Joseph Parker the following year got his career moving again.
In an emotional chat with SunSport, Massey recounted his experiences working alongside his dad at a brake pad factory.
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He said: “My dad has worked at the same brake pad factory for 40 years.
“When I was there he would always say to me: ‘Do you want to be stuck here like me for the rest of your life – or do you want to make something of yourself in boxing?’
“When I used to work with my brother, he would say ‘do you really want to be doing this s***?’
“They both told me I could make something of my life through boxing and that has stuck with me.
“It’s been a bit like that Matt Damon film where he is really intelligent and his mate tells him the best thing that could happen was that he drives to collect him for another day on site and Damon has gone.
“They always told me it would be offensive to them if he didn’t go on and make something of himself. And that sticks in my mind.
“The fellas on sites and in factories are the boxing fans in our country – so it means a lot and it reminds me why I do it.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
