Ellis Zorro is well aware of the gargantuan task at hand.

Oddsmakers have the unbeaten Brit as much as a +1000 underdog to dethrone lineal cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia this Saturday at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight represents a quantum leap in competition for the 31-year-old Zorro, who knows it will take more than the best he’s previously offered to pull off the feat.

“I don’t think there is any one thing I can use that will win me this fight against this kind of opponent.”

Sydney’s Opetaia (23-0, 18KOs) will attempt the second defense of the lineal championship he earned in a twelve-round decision over Mairis Briedis in their thriller last July 2 in Australia’s Gold Coast. He also won the IBF belt that evening but was since relieved of his reign for failure to honor his mandatory in a rematch versus Briedis, as he opted instead for the more lucrative payday on Saturday’s ‘Day of Reckoning’ eight-fight Pay-Per-View event.

Zorro (17-0, 7KOs) is grateful that the division’s king honored his word and signed agreement, even without a physical title on the line (though Opetaia has touted The Ring championship as the belt at stake this weekend). Despite the longshot odds, he refuses to settle for a ‘really gave it a go’-level performance; anything less than a win will be viewed as a letdown by the Kent-based contender.

“This whole 'performing well,' it’s not my narrative,” insisted Zorro. “I’m an undefeated fighter. I’ve never lost as an amateur and as a pro. Obviously, this is a step up in opponent.

“But listen, I’ve been an underdog for all of my fights from the amateur days. I was never expected to do anything. That’s why I just believe in myself, believe in my skills.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox