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David Nyika says he is ready to “shock the world” by upsetting IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia in their fight next week on January 8 at the Gold Coast Convention Center in Broadbeach, Australia.
This fight is as tough for Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) as his two fights against Mairis Briedis, and he could lose if Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) puts the pressure on. The 6’6″ Nyika, 29, would probably beat everyone Opetaia has fought in his nine-year pro career and do so in the same way.
David vs. Goliath
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn hopes Opetaia, 29, can win this fight as he wants to push to set up a business-level match for Jai against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2025.
“I’m a whole new animal, and you’ll see it on January 8,” David Nyika told Matchroom Boxing, talking about his fight against IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. “I don’t see Opetai going down without a fight. Ring magazine and IBF cruiserweight titles, I’m taking them home.
“Fighting in his backyard is going to be amazing. I’ve always performed better when I’m under pressure and when the odds are up. So this is David vs. Goliath. He’s the king of the cruiserweight division, so does anyone
“We shake the world. I will do my best to achieve my goal. “And a new champion has emerged,” said Nyika.
Nyika already has the plan to defeat Opetaia: hit him hard, press him and don’t let him rest for a second. Opetaia has modeled her style in part on Dmitry Bivol, whom she admires. When aggressively attacked, he takes off running.
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 to take the punishment. If Nyika can attack Opetaia more aggressively, she can break him and make him quit mentally. The white flag of surrender will go up on the mast of Opetaia.
Shocking the world, but the real animal is @jaiopetaia1 😉 #OpetaiaNyika | January 8 | @tasmanfighters pic.twitter.com/TeRYgx9GZb
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 2, 2025
