EXCLUSIVE: Jai Opetaia 'definitely' in line to become world heavyweight champion, says Jeff Fenech

Jay Opetaia is now Australia's best fighter "by a million miles" says Jeff Fenech, who believes the unified cruiserweight champion can "compete with anyone."

A day after Opetaia handed out yet another brutal beating that will get lost among the myriad of knockouts on his showreel, Aussie boxing legend Fenech, who was Opetaia's trainer in his younger years, declared the NSW-born brawler is easily among the biggest names in the sport on the international stage.

The fourth round beatdown of David Nyika, who was undefeated in nine bouts going into the match-up on a few weeks notice, didn't really surprise anybody, but it further established the theory that Opetaia could conquer the heavyweight division one day if he continues on the current trajectory he's on.

READ MORE: 'Some won't like it': 'Shock' Madge reality facing Broncos

READ MORE: 'He's got it worse': Luai's sympathy for Tigers young gun

READ MORE: 'Biggest test' facing Healy amid injury comeback

That's the plan according to promoter Eddie Hearn, who confirmed Opetaia is on track to fight heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk if he can win all the belts at cruiserweight.

Once upon a time such an idea would have been fanciful, but Fenech says since Usyk forged the way from cruiserweight to heavyweight to be champion in both weight classes, it's not so far fetched.

"The way things are set up these days it could definitely happen. It would be huge money fight," Fenech told Wide World of Sports.

"When I was training Jai and we had a couple of heavyweights who were pretty good - Lucas Browne and a few others, Jai never had any problem with any of them. Never got hurt by any of them. He's got a rock solid chin.

"He can compete with anybody. He's got his own beautiful style. To me he's the best Aussie boxer now by far."

Fenech said Opetaia is in a class of his own at the moment and there's a reason he's often seen fighting on big money cards in Saudi Arabia. It's not just that he's winning, he's brutalising rivals on the way.

"You can't compare him to nobody, even though we've got a great mob of fighters right now," Fenech said.

"I seen him as a young kid sparring - and I thought at the time he was the best kid I'd seen. He was brilliant and he is now.

"We signed him up years ago but then when I went out of boxing for a while I told him to go see somebody else.

"But when I saw him, I knew I had never seen nobody as good and he's getting better and better which is great.

"He's easily one of the biggest names in the world. The guy from Saudi loves Jai, he's one of his favourite fighters."

That guy from Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, is certainly a huge fan of the Aussie and is said to be the mastermind behind the potential clash with Usyk.

And while that match-up would be monumental, closer to home, Australian fight fans would be clamouring for an all-Aussie showdown should Opetaia move up to the bigs - a clash with Queensland star Justis Huni.

Huni also showed his knockout power on the same card as Opetaia on Wednesday, scoring a KO of his own.

Huni's lightning speed and movement is elite and since he's also promoted by Matchroom, a match up between the two Australians in the future would not be out of the question.

"No doubt (they could fight for a heavyweight title one day). Same with Huni when you see him," Fenech said.

"If Jai moves up and progresses and Justis keeps improving, it could definitely happen, having the same promoter.

"Justis' skill level is second to none as well. There's a couple of things I wish he would show these guys but they're both doing great. I'm so proud of Australian boxing right now."