David Nyika says he is ready to “shock the world” by interfering with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia in their fight that will take place next week on January 8 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Australia.
This fight is tough for Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) as his two fights are against Mairis Briedis, and he may lose if Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) brings the pressure. Nyika, 29, 6’6″, has probably beaten everyone Opetaia has fought against during his nine years in the profession and done the same.
David vs. Goliath
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is hoping that Opetaia, 29, can win the fight as he wants to put pressure on Jai’s business-level fight against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2025.
“I’m a completely new animal, and I’m coming on January 8, you’ll see,” said David Nyika speaking to Matchroom Boxing, talking about his fight with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. “I don’t see Opetai going down without a fight. Ring Magazine and IBF cruiserweight titles, I’m bringing them home.
“Fighting in his backyard will be amazing. I’ve always done better under pressure and when the odds are stacked against me. So, this is David vs. Goliath. He is the King of the cruiserweight division, anyone.
“Let’s scare the world. I will do everything I can to achieve my goal. “And there is a new champion,” said Nyika.
Nyika still has a plan to defeat Opetaia: hit him hard, apply pressure, don’t let him get a break even for a second. Opetaia partly modeled her style on Dmitry Bivol, whom she admires. When he is severely attacked, he runs away.
In Opetaia’s rematch with Mairis Briedis last May, we saw a fighter who doesn’t like to be beaten and reacts with fear when he starts punishing. If Nyika can attack Opetaia with force, she can break him and make him stop mentally. A white flag of surrender will rise to the top of Opetaia.
Shocking the world but a real beast @jaiopetaia1 😉 #OpetaiNyika | Jan 8 | @tasmanfighters pic.twitter.com/TeRYgx9GZb
– Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 2, 2025
