Lonergan, who promoted the superfight between Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017, believes Opetaia is four or five fights away from a shot at a world championship.

The 24-year-old former London Olympian is Australia's second-ranked cruiserweight, behind Queenslander Trent Broadhurst.

He is 12^th in the world on the WBA rankings, 10^th in IBF and 13^th in WBO. On Saturday night he will be intent on improving his underfeated professional record (18 wins, 14 by knockout) when he takes on Brisbane's Mark Flanagan for the World Boxing Association Oceania cruiserweight title at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.

Lonergan believes Opetaia can be as big a drawcard as Horn, who became a national hero when he won a unanimous points decision against Pacquiao in front of a 51,052-strong crowd.

"One day, he could be as big as Jeff Horn," Lonergan said.

"In the long term, I think Jai will probably move up to heavyweight, where he could potentially fight some really big names.

"But for the meantime, it's important he stays at cruiserweight and tries to win a world title.

"He's only 24, he's got 18 wins under his belt already, and he's a lot more progressed than Jeff was at the same age."

Lonergan said his plan was for Opetaia to fight for a world title at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, or potentially even McDonald Jones Stadium.

"Newcastle is a logical venue, because Jai lives an hour down the road," he said.

"He's been doing really well in the ring, but he probably hasn't had a lot of media attention. We're keen to build his profile and make him a household name, like Jeff Horn."