David Nyika cannot remember being knocked out by Jai Opetaia in their world title cruiserweight bout in January but has described it as an excellent learning experience ahead of his next assignment on the Gold Coast in June.
New Zealander Nyika was stopped in the fourth round in a brutal knockout by IBF world champion Opetaia after taking the fight against his Australian rival on only three weeks’ notice.
It meant losing his undefeated record in what would have been a frightening setback for his supporters. However, he said he had no hesitation with getting back in the ring.
In an interview with 1News, Nyika said he had no regrets about fighting Opetaia, a man generally recognised as the best cruiserweight in the world, or the result.
"I remember everything about the fight except being knocked out," he said. "I am really grateful that I remember getting into the ring and looking across at Jai. I remember the first round, the second round, the third round and the fourth round. The only thing I don’t remember is getting knocked out…
“I came to in the changing room… the first thing I said was 'I’m so blessed'. I get emotional but I had my family there. I know what it means to them. I’m blessed by the opportunity to be able to impress… and express who I am in the ring.
"It’s a beautiful sport like that but it comes with consequences.
"I gave a good account of myself. I’ll bounce back – that was such an amazing experience from start to finish... it was invaluable."
A day after the defeat – his first in 11 professional fights – Nyika travelled to Mexico where he proposed to his now fiancée Lexy Thornberry, the daughter of his trainer Noel.
Nyika travelled after being cleared by doctors but said he suffered from headaches for about four days afterwards. A contributing factor was an accidental head clash as he and Opetaia collided at the first bell, he said.
The bout finished with Opetaia knocking down Nyika, who was caught dazed and defenceless on the ropes, for a second and final time.
But the 29-year-old Nyika can console himself with the fact he wobbled his rival in the second round in what was an entertaining fight. He is one of the few to do so either in the ring or in the gym.
1News understood that Nyika’s opponent for his next fight at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, where he lost to Opetaia in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds, would be announced in a week or so.
Ranked 10th by the IBF before his last fight, he has dropped to 12th but otherwise little has changed, he said. He was still a man few want to face in the ring.
"I think my stocks have risen," Nyika said. "Now that people know how much firepower I have they’ll want to see it.
"It’s difficult to find opponents because I am that good. It’s a dangerous sport – fighters should be paid well and compensated… but everyone wants a pretty penny.
"If anything, there’s less pressure. I don’t have to worry about keeping an undefeated record… I’m damaged goods, apparently. I’ll fight anyone… if that helps me gets fights, then great. I believe I’m a better fighter now."
Nyika’s next opponent was likely to be ranked outside the top 15 and, while he said he would fight anyone, WBO world champion Gilberto Ramirez and WBC title holder Badou Jack were in his sights, along with Englishman Chris Billam-Smith, a former sparring partner ranked fourth by the WBO.
"Ramirez and Opetaia are the only two in the cruiserweight division who have impressed me. Outside of them, I don’t see anyone in the division who can beat me."
Trainer Thornberry told 1News that a rebuilding job was not necessary.
"I’m not going to try to recreate the wheel," Thornberry said. "David was an excellent boxer before he came to me. I thought he was one of the most impressive boxers at the Olympics in ’21 from this part of the world. To try to change David I think would be silly."
Watch 1News' sports reporter Jenny Suo's interview with David Nyika on today's 6pm bulletin.
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