Jai Opetaia has the skills to beat Deontay Wilder, according to Billy Dib, but the Australian cannot afford to treat the heavyweight’s punching power casually. Speaking on Raw Sport, Dib backed Opetaia’s intelligence and southpaw boxing while stressing that the danger remains even if Wilder is past his best.
That balance between confidence and caution also shaped Dib’s assessment of Tim Tszyu against Erislandy Lara. He believes trainer Billy Hussein can improve Tszyu’s chances through a more tactical approach, although he warned that a short preparation leaves limited time to change established habits. Across both match-ups, Dib’s message was consistent: ambition needs discipline.
On Opetaia, Dib saw an opportunity to reach a much wider audience. He argued that the exposure discussed on the show could help turn the Australian into a bigger international name and strengthen interest in a future meeting with David Benavidez. Those were Dib’s expectations for what a successful performance could deliver, rather than a guarantee of the next fight.
The immediate challenge, in his view, is managing Wilder’s threat. Dib praised Opetaia’s range, intelligence and ability to box from the southpaw stance. He also noted that Opetaia has taken punches in previous fights, something he believes would carry much greater consequences against Wilder. A carefully prepared plan, followed without unnecessary exchanges, was central to his prediction.
Dib was similarly unwilling to dismiss Lara because of age or inactivity. He described the Cuban as a skilled counterpuncher who creates traps and punishes opponents for walking into them. For Tszyu, that means pressure alone will not be enough. Dib believes an aggressive start without the right defensive decisions could play directly into Lara’s strengths.
Hussein’s influence was the main reason for Dib’s increased optimism about Tszyu. Drawing on their own time together, Dib described a trainer who builds preparation in stages and tailors instructions to the circumstances of a fight. He pointed to Hussein’s experience working with slick southpaw Paul Fleming and said he had already noticed work on angles in footage of Tszyu’s training.
But Dib attached conditions to that endorsement. Seven or eight weeks is a short window, he said, particularly for a boxer who has heard different approaches across several training environments. He wants Tszyu to absorb the instructions and apply pressure progressively, using movement and positioning rather than rushing forward. He also warned that competing voices in the corner could create confusion.
The discussion widened to the distinction between an interim belt and the main championship. Dib argued that an interim title should be understood as a route towards an opportunity against the champion. In discussing Liam Wilson’s ambitions, he separated respect for the fighter from criticism of how titles are presented, while acknowledging that bigger commercial fights can complicate a contender’s path.
Fighter safety was another part of Dib’s endorsement of Hussein. He expressed confidence that the trainer would intervene if Tszyu was being hurt. That matters to Dib’s wider assessment of the corner: good instructions are only part of the responsibility, alongside recognising when a boxer needs protection.
For Opetaia and Tszyu, however, Dib returned to the choices made under pressure. He is optimistic about both Australians, with Hussein’s tactical work a particular source of encouragement for Tszyu. Neither endorsement came without a warning: respect the opponent’s weapons, resist reckless attacks and make the plan count when the opening bell goes.