- Jai Opetaia extended his undefeated record with victory against David Nyika
- The Australian boxer knocked out the New Zealand fighters after a crazy fight
Jai Opetaia knocked out David Nyika to defend his IBF and Ring cruiserweight world title belts in a brutal homecoming on the Gold Coast.
The home favorite appeared to be in a fight with late call-up New Zealand, who took the competition on just three weeks' notice and showed tremendous intent in the first three rounds.
But a hook from Opetaia in the fourth round floored Nyika, who continued to fight only to be knocked out seconds later by a right hook and left hook combination that left him still on the canvas for several minutes.
It was Opetaia's first fight in Australia since July 2022, when she broke her jaw twice, but still found a way to defeat Latvian champion Mairis Briedis and win the belts for the first time.
'David, thank you… you gave me a dogfight, I respect that,' Opetaia said.
“He hit it… he kept going, he kept hitting, thank you David.”
The victory, Opetaia's 27th in as many starts, sets up a possible unification with Mexican star Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez, who holds the WBA and WBO belts, later this year.
“Ramirez, I'm coming for your belts,” Opetaia said.
'I've been waiting for this fight for a long time. I'm coming.'
Nyika left the ring to applause, marking the first defeat in the eleventh professional start for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.
More to follow…