No hint of butterflies, no second thoughts, not even a blink when he says "I'm born for this". Now he has a chance to prove it to everyone in Australian boxing.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Opetaia (18-0) will headline the first round of the National Boxing Series against Mark Flanagan (24-7) live on Fox Sports from the Hordern Pavilion on Saturday night.

The pair stood toe to toe at the weigh-in with regional titles held aloft in the background. Yet for Opetaia these straps are merely a stepping stone.

For the eyes of the 24-year-old prospect are locked on something far bigger as he sets his sights on the sport's summit - a place Flanagan could almost touch little more than two years ago.

Flanagan went the distance with Denis Lebedev when he challenged the Russian in his own backyard for the WBA super championship. Which is why he now finds himself at a crossroads.

He needs this perhaps more than anyone - but Opetaia is relishing his chance under the bright lights.

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"I feel comfortable up here in these main events, I'm born for this stuff," Opetaia said.

"This is all I know. So it's time to take the crown. I need this win. I've been training hard for it, and it's just another step closer to a world title."

"I'm ready to go to war. I've been training really hard and I have been chasing this fight for a long time, so it's good to finally get it.

"Mark has been at the top of the cruiserweights in Australia for a long time, but it's my time now. It's time for him to pass the torch. I've been waiting for this chance."

Opetaia is one of five fighters signed to promoter Dean Lonergan's NBS - and a failed medical test means he will be the only one on the card come Saturday night.

Unbeaten super featherweight Liam Wilson (4-0) was slated to Amandeep Singh (4-0), but the latter failed a pre-fight medical test to leave Wilson without an opponent.

There can be little doubt Opetaia enters the esteemed Hordern Pavilion on Saturday night as the A side. The pre-fight hype reel which will be beamed around the arena says as much.

Yet Flanagan is not here simply to make up the numbers. He knows a win over Opetaia would spoil the best laid plans for a cruiserweight who for so long has promised so much.

It would be a significant blow for one of the sport's rising stars whom Lonergan's series of shows on Fox Sports has been built around.

And the 29-year-old fighting out of Queensland would love nothing more than to be the man that inflicted such a blow.

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"It puts me back man, this is a shortcut for me," Flanagan said.

"Instead of going on the long road fighting easier guys I know I am going to knock over just to get that rating.

"Jai has got the rating, he has got all the belts, he has got everything I want. The tables have turned, now I'm chasing him. This is my fight to get it all back.

"It's all experience, I've been a professional for about 11 years now, I'm battle tested, I'm battle hardened. I know what it's like being on the big stage, this isn't new to me.

"I'm ready man, look at me. I'm ready. Preparation has been perfect, training is perfect, sparring is perfect. I'm fit."

NATIONAL BOXING SERIES

Saturday: National Boxing Series Round One: Opetaia v Flanagan at the Hordern Pavilion, 7pm. Live on Fox Sports. Tickets from Ticketek.