UNBEATEN New Zealander David Nyika looks to capitalise on his golden opportunity against IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia this Wednesday.
The pair will square off at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia, for a mouth-watering clash to kickstart boxing in 2025.
Opetaia was supposed to face IBF mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara but, after the German suffered an ankle injury, Nyika has now been drafted on short notice.
The 29-year-old has amassed ten victories following his decorated amateur career, during which he became an Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games champion.
But despite his illustrious education, Nyika is yet to face a professional fighter who is even close to the level of his next opponent.
Instead, ‘The Nice Guy’ has done most of his learning over the past four years in the gym, sparring with the likes of Tyson Fury and even Opetaia himself.
“I’ve worked with the best cruiserweights [and] the best heavyweights in the world. I can beat anybody,” he said at this morning’s press conference.
Of course, sparring is a vastly different kettle of fish to a professional contest. But still, Nyika seems to have taken plenty of confidence from his rounds with Opetaia.
Nevertheless, the spiteful technician will need to produce a career-best performance to beat Opetaia, who is widely considered to be the king of their division.
The Australian has, after all, secured two unanimous decision victories over cruiserweight legend Mairis Briedis, showcasing his remarkable bravery after suffering two breaks to his jaw in their first encounter.
And so, with Opetaia entering their showdown as a sizable favourite, this is a chance for Nyika, win or lose, to announce himself on the world stage.
