AN unexpected but nonetheless intriguing matchup to kickstart boxing in 2025 will see IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia collide with unbeaten contender David Nyika.
Opetaia was supposed to face mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara on January 8, headlining a stacked card for his eagerly anticipated homecoming in Queensland, Australia.
But with Cinkara suffering an ankle injury, Olympic bronze medallist Nyika has stepped in on short notice, looking to capitalise on his golden opportunity with a career-best performance.
Sure enough, the New Zealander will need to produce a tremendous display to topple Opetaia, who is widely considered to be the top dog at 200 lbs.
The 29-year-old claimed his world title back in 2022, securing a monumental unanimous decision victory over cruiserweight legend Mairis Briedis.
Not only did the Australian showcase his dynamic movement and comprehensive repertoire of attacks, but he also proved his mettle after sustaining a horrific injury in only the second round.
With his jaw broken on both sides, Opetaia was able to push through the pain barrier for the remaining ten rounds in a remarkable show of bravery.
Since then, the formidable technician has amassed three stoppage victories over British campaigners Jordan Thompson, Ellis Zorro and Jack Massey while also reclaiming his IBF strap with a second victory over Briedis.
Nyika, meanwhile, remains at the early stage of his professional development, cruising through his ten outings with relative ease.
But still, it could be said that most of the 29-year-old’s education arrived during his decorated amateur career, with the well-schooled operator becoming a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist before securing bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
At the same time, though, Opetaia has shown few signs of weakness in his terrific surge at world level.
The only criticism that could be made, in fact, is that he began to tire during the championship rounds of his rematch with Briedis earlier last year.
That said, it is difficult to look beyond the elite footwork, ruthless killer instinct and extraordinary tenacity of Opetaia, who is seemingly the full package when it comes to professional boxing.
And so, while Nyika is likely to pose the champion some problems in the early rounds, one would suspect that the experience of Opetaia will ultimately prevail down the stretch.
