Jack Massey: record, next fight and profile →
Jai Opetaia has warned Jack Massey that the physical approach that inspired his victory over Isaac Chamberlain won’t serve him when they contest the IBF cruiserweight title on Saturday.
On Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jack Massey fights Jai Opetaia for the IBF cruiserweight title. This time two years ago, however, he was working on scaffolds, unable to secure a meaningful opportunity.
The upcoming fight between Jai Opetaia and Jack Massey will indeed be allowed to be competed for the IBF cruiserweight title – in addition to Opetaia’s lineal championship – but the winner will have to defend next against the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger.
Though Jai Opetaia, 25-0 (19 KOs), unquestionably wanted a bigger fight than Jack Massey, his opponent on the October 12 Riyadh Season card in Saudi Arabia, the IBF cruiserweight belt-holder insists that he won’t overlook his next challenger.
In January 2023, Jack Massey was chosen as a surprise opponent for former WBO heavyweight champion, Joseph Parker
Jack Massey has learned to never switch off his phone. In the winter of 2022, the former IBO cruiserweight champion was inactive and avoided. He was working up a scaffold when his manager, Kevin Maree, called offering him a fight with Joseph Parker at heavyweight. Despite being in between trainers, Massey leapt at the opportunity and put in a solid display, dragging the former WBO heavyweight champion the 10-round distance and losing a competitive decision.
Trainer Joe Gallagher hopes Jack Massey’s victory over Isaac Chamberlain last month means he will be considered as a potential challenger for WBO cruiserweight titleholder Chris Billam-Smith.
The cruiserweight division has been one of British boxing’s most active and entertaining over recent years but despite his best efforts, the dangerous Jack Massey, 22-2 (12 KOs), spent years waiting for an opportunity to enter the fray.
Jack Massey came through some testing periods to unseat the Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Isaac Chamberlain and to win the vacant European title
Jack Massey was crowned the new European and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion after earning a split decision over Isaac Chamberlain