David Nyika says he’s 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 Centre in Broadbeach, Australia.
This fight is as tough for Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) as his two matches against Mairis Briedis, and he could lose if Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) brings the pressure. The 6’6″ Nyika, 29, would likely beat everyone that Opetaia has fought during his nine-year pro career and do it similarly.
David vs. Goliath
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn hopes that Opetaia, 29, can win this fight because he wants to put pressure on setting up a business-level match for Jai against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2025.
“I’m a completely new animal, and come January 8th, you’re going to see,” said David Nyika to Matchroom Boxing, talking about his fight against IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. “I can’t see Opetai going down without a fight. The Ring Magazine and IBF cruiserweight titles, I’m bringing them back home.
“Fighting in his backyard will be amazing. I’ve always performed better when I’m 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’m going to do everything I can to reach my goal. ‘And a new champion has arisen,” said Nyika.
Nyika already has the blueprint for defeating Opetaia: hit him hard, apply pressure, and not let him get a break for even a second. Opetaia has modeled his style partly on Dmitry Bivol, whom he admires. When attacked aggressively, he takes off running.
In Opetaia’s rematch with Mairis Briedis last May, we saw a fighter who does not like to get hit and reacts with fear when he starts taking punishment. If Nyika can attack Opetaia more aggressively, he can break him and make him quit mentally. The white flag of surrender will go up the flagpole by Opetaia.
