"With all due respect, I want a fight with Usyk. I've always been there for him. I was 16 years old and I fought in the qualification for the Olympics. I was a young boy then and he won those Olympics. I've always been around, but back then my time hadn't come yet. I think my time is coming and one day I will meet him," Opetaia said in an interview with YouTube channel Fight Hub TV.
On May 18, Opetaia defeated Mairis Briedis on points to win the vacant IBF title.