David Nyika says he did not hesitate in agreeing to a world title fight against Australian Jai Opetaia, saying the bout on the Gold Coast next month was ticked off “within the hour”.
The fight for the IBF cruiserweight world title against the undefeated Opetaia, a skilful and ruthless southpaw, is a huge step up for Kiwi Nyika but he said the chance presented by an injury to Opetaia’s scheduled opponent was too good to turn down.
“There wasn’t any hesitation,” Nyika told 1News. “I knew this was a fight I would have sooner or later so I had to take the opportunity when it presented itself.
“I’ve been in fighting shape for the last three or four weeks. I’m prepared now but for a world title fight, give me another couple of weeks and I’ll be right as rain.
“Jai is a massive leap for my career. I’ve been following him for years now so for me this opportunity catapults me into the mainstream boxing world. I’m relatively unknown at the moment and it’s important to keep charging forward.”
After beating Mairis Briedis for the IBF world title in Broadbeach in 2022, Opetaia has defended it in London once and Saudi Arabia three times. Of those four victories, three have come via knockouts.
A victory over Opetaia, unbeaten over 26 professional fights, will be a huge upset but Nyika believes he has the weapons to trouble his rival.
As a double Commonwealth Games gold and Olympic bronze medallist, Nyika certainly has the amateur pedigree, but, with 10 professional fights behind him, the Kiwi is relatively inexperienced in the paid ranks.
“Jai is an amazing champion and I know he’s making light work of a lot of his opponents. I know this is a big step but I know exactly what I need to do.
“But I’ve had a lot of time to think about Jai as an opponent… I know it’s risky, everyone is saying it online, but it’s a risky game, there’s no way to avoid getting wet when you’re swimming.
"I’m nine weeks deep into a training camp. I’m in great stead. There’s no reason not to take the fight as far as I’m concerned.”
Nyika, like Opetaia, is aged 29 and a victory in the most lucrative fight of his career will catapult him on to the world stage.
Stepping up at short notice due to an injury to Opetaia’s scheduled opponent Huseyin Cinkara, Nyika has effectively agreed to save the event which will be held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach on January 8.
It has come earlier than he and his team could have hoped for, but after a frustrating couple of years during which time he has struggled to find quality opponents, there was little chance Nyika would deny what he believes is his destiny.
“I know this fight could have been built over the years but when destiny comes knocking I will answer the call,” he said.
“It’s going to be massive. I think people around the world will tune in, especially people from New Zealand and Australia. I think this is the biggest fight in trans-Tasman history. It’s massive.”
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