David Nyika says he is ready to “shock the world” by upsetting IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetai in their fight next week on January 8 at the Gold Coast Convention Center in Broadbeach, Australia.
This fight is just as tough for Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) as his two bouts against Mairis Briedis, and he could lose if Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) applies the pressure. The 6’6″ Nyika, 29, would probably beat everyone Opetaia has fought during his nine-year pro career and the like.
David vs. Goliath
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn hopes Opetaia, 29, can win this fight as he looks to push for a business-level match for Jai against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2025.
“I’m a whole new animal, and on January 8, you’ll see,” David Nyika told Matchroom Boxing, talking about his fight against IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. “I can’t see Opetai going down without a fight. Ring Magazine and IBF cruiserweight titles, I’m bringing them home.
“The fight in his backyard will be incredible. I’ve always been better when under pressure and when the odds are stacked. So this is David vs. Goliath. He’s the king of the cruiserweight division, as far as anyone’s concerned.
“Let’s shock the world. I will do everything I can to achieve my goal. ‘And a new champion has emerged,’ said Nyika.
Nyika already has a blueprint for beating Opetaia: hit him hard, apply pressure and don’t let him back down for a second. Opetaia partially modeled his style on Dmitri Bivol, whom he admires. When aggressively attacked, he runs away.
In Opetaia’s rematch with Mairis Briedis last May, we saw a fighter who doesn’t like getting hit and reacts with fear when he starts taking punishment. If Nyika can attack Opetai more aggressively, she can break him down and force him to give up mentally. The white flag of surrender will be raised on the mast near Opetaja.
He wants to shock the world, but he is a real animal @jaiopetaia1 😉 #OpetaiaNyika | January 8 | @tasmanfighters pic.twitter.com/TeRYgx9GZb
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 2, 2025
