Contrary to a holiday, which is something people typically want to last forever, some boxers are already thinking about leaving the country as soon as they arrive for their scheduled fight. Leaving signifies the end of preparation, fight week, and the fight itself, and it releases the tension and pressure that has built up during their training. Jai Opetaia, the world cruiserweight champion, shares this desire to leave. Although he is grateful for the opportunity to compete and be paid, he is eager for it to be over. He explains that he is obsessed with the fight and cannot relax or chill during this time. He wants to finish the fight, take a breath, and be present in the moment. Until then, Opetaia is stuck between being a human being and a machine. He tries to engage with others while maintaining his focus on the fight. He is amiable but not overly friendly or revealing, as he wants to preserve the progress he has made in his training. Opetaia is only able to relax and laugh when reminiscing about his time at the Olympics. He views fighting as a gift and an indulgence, and he believes that smiling or laughing is a waste of energy until after the fight. Regardless of who his opponent is, Opetaia is just happy to be fighting and defending his belt. He has overcome injuries and setbacks, and he has grown mentally tough as a result. He no longer worries about past injuries, as he believes they have made him stronger. Opetaia’s mental toughness comes from growing up in the boxing world and waiting for opportunities like world title fights. He has dedicated his life to boxing and sees it as all he knows.
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