One among British cruiserweight Jack Massey’s glad locations is looking for treasure and he actually has gold on his thoughts in Riyadh this weekend.
The reigning European and Commonwealth champion – Massey earned these belts when he beat Isaac Chamberlain at Selhurst Park in June – will problem unbeaten Australian Jai Opetaia for the IBF cruiserweight title, dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace on Saturday.
On his pastime of metallic detecting, Massey instructed Sky Sports activities: “I’m actually into my historical past. I believe is it mad that somebody has dropped one thing practically 2,000 years agon and you may simply go and discover it.
“I get some stick off my mates. I don’t go on seashores in search of different folks’s rings or stuff like that. I similar to the historical past aspect. Being by yourself in a area with nobody about is stress-free.
“It’s a little bit of meditation, I suppose.”
How Massey plans to ‘exploit’ Opetaia
Massey detects a weak spot in Opetaia, who took his skilled document to 25-0 after outpointing Mairis Briedis for a second time in Could, having beforehand overwhelmed the veteran Latvian in 2022.
The actual fact 39-year-old Breidis completed this spring’s contest the stronger has given Massey confidence as he prepares to face a person he considers the most effective within the cruiserweight ranks and one he feels possesses “loopy eyes”.
‘One Smack’ added: “Briedis has given him his hardest battle however I sparred with Briedis a couple of years in the past in Latvia and he was carrying a couple of accidents and speaking about retirement then.
“I believe Briedis is previous his finest however he regarded good in the direction of the again finish so that’s one thing we’re . I at all times end sturdy and I believe that’s the place I’m going to use [Opetaia].
“He does are inclined to fade off within the again finish of fights. He begins quick and that may be his downfall, he tires out a bit of bit. That’s why he let Briedis again in.
“I imagine he’s prime of the pecking order within the division however for folks saying he’s the following [Oleksandr] Usyk, I don’t suppose he has been put via it sufficient to make statements like that.”
‘I’m coming to smash his plans and take that world title’
Massey continued: “I don’t suppose he has been in with anybody like myself. I’m ranges above. Lots of people are getting twisted, considering I’m simply one other Brit coming to the slaughterhouse, however they’re very mistaken.
“I do know for a reality he’s taking me severely, I believe he takes each battle severely. He is aware of I’m no mug and that I’m coming for a win, not for the payday.”
Having lasted the total 10 rounds with Joseph Parker in early 2023 and seen off Chamberlain a couple of months in the past, Massey is optimistic he can shatter Opetaia’s hopes of unifying the division.
“I respect him for taking the battle. He would have needed to unify the division however, like me, if he can’t get the fights he desires he’ll take whoever. He’s a type of guys who desires to battle.
“Being in with a giant puncher like Parker and sticking in till the tip, giving it my very own as effectively, you may take that away.
“I then bought a strong 12 rounds in in opposition to Chamberlain at brief discover and that has blown away any ring rust or cobwebs I may need had.
“I’m coming to smash his plans and take that world title.”
Fabio Wardley’s large rematch with Frazer Clarke is on the epic Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol invoice on Saturday, dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace. E-book now!