“Unless I take care of things on March 8, it’s all just imagination. It’s all just talk,” Opetaia told Dan Rafael’s Fight Freaks Unite.

Opetaia remains unbeaten with 29 wins and 23 knockouts, including four straight defeats. Recent performances have been decisive, albeit not against teams deep in the division. There are different types of tests on Sunday. Granton isn’t among the elite, but his style is effective.

“He’s tough. He’s tough. And he wants to win,” Opetaia said. “He’s got a big engine, he keeps moving forward, and he’s ready to explode. He’s dangerous the whole fight, so you’ve got to fire it up. You’ve got to be ready to get in the trenches, and we did that.”

Granton is 21-3 with 18 knockouts and has built a career on driving communication and constant pressure. He is not dependent on any one moment. He relies on accumulation and persistence. This approach may confuse boxers who expect distance and control.

Opetaia believes the difference lies in technique and timing. “We box smart and we do our thing,” he said. “We have completely different skill levels, but he’s big, he’s strong. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see our styles and how this fight matches up.”

The larger goal remains clear. Opetaia hopes to capture all four belts in the lightweight division before the end of the year. This goal only holds true if he successfully wins. A difficult night will block the road and raise new questions about unification’s readiness.

Currently, the mission is narrow. Win, stay in control and leave no doubt. For Opetaia, this means that his undisputed dialogue will only continue if he wins.