Kiwi Olympic bronze medal winner David Nyika has stepped up on short notice to face Jai Opetaia in an historic trans-Tasman world title showdown on January 8.
Nyika was on Wednesday confirmed as a late-notice replacement for injured mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara, who was due to face Opetaia for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
As organisers scrambled to find a new opponent for the Aussie, Nyika, ranked 10th with the IBF, received approval to challenge for the belt.
WATCH: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 live on DAZN
The bout will reportedly satisfy Opetaia’s mandatory obligations, meaning he can pursue a unification or voluntary defence afterwards.
It’s a significant step up in competition for the 29-year-old Nyika, who is 10-0 as a professional, with nine knockout victories on his record.
Having never been past five rounds, a 12-rounder against the man many rate as the best cruiserweight on the planet shapes as a tall task.
Last time out, in September, Nyika stopped experienced American Tommy Karpency inside three rounds, while Opetaia was last in action in October, knocking Jack Massey out in six.
Now based in Queensland and trained by Noel Thornberry, Nyika has shared plenty of sparring rounds with the southpaw since making the move to Australia, including in preparation for Opetaia’s title-winning victory over Mairis Briedis back in July 2022.
In fact, the Hamilton-born Nyika fought on the same card both times Opetaia defeated Briedis.
Matchroom Boxing
The news ensures Opetaia, also 29, will get the opportunity to fight in front of a home crowd for the first time since becoming champion at the same venue.
Since then, he’s fought, and won, once in London and three times in Saudi Arabia, improving to 26-0 with 20 KOs and establishing himself as the top dog at 200-pounds.
Should he get through Nyika, Opetaia has already confirmed his interest in challenging unified WBA/WBO champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
For now, his bout with the New Zealander tops what shapes as a stacked world title fight card.
Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika confirmed fight card
Bouts and order subject to change
- Jai Opetaia (c) vs. David Nyika for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles
- Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgeiter; heavyweight
- Ben Mahoney vs. Fan Zhang; super welterweight
- Austin Aokuso vs. Habib Ahmed; light heavyweight
- Max McIntyre vs. Abdulselam Saman; super middleweight
- Billy McAllister vs. Jordan Towns; light heavyweight
