Australian boxer Jai Opetaia's world title fight on the Gold Coast was marred by a wild brawl that broke out among spectators on Wednesday night.
The cruiserweight defended his IBF and The Ring crowns with a fourth-round knockout of New Zealander David Nyika, but there was another clash in the stands before the main event, with several men filmed throwing heavy punches at each other.
In footage posted on
Another man is seen on the ground behind them fighting with a bystander while a third individual appears to be trying to separate him.
“Around 9:30 p.m. a disturbance occurred. “Police were already present and separated the people involved,” Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia.
“They were evicted from the place. No complaint has been received, so the police will not take any further action.
Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that several men were thrown out of Jai Opetaia's fight night at the Gold Coast Convention Center after getting into a shocking brawl (pictured).
Inside the ring, Opetaia (left) savagely knocked out David Nyika (right) to further his reputation as one of the best fighters on the planet.
Inside the ring, Opetaia continued to strengthen his position as one of the best fighters on the planet with a cruel ending to their fight.
A short right hand from Opetaia in the fourth round floored Nyika, who continued to fight only to be hit again seconds later by a right hook.
Opetaia did not waste his opportunity with Nyika hanging on the ropes, landing a left hook on the challenger's chin that sent him to the ground and left him motionless 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.
Nyika slowly exited the ring to applause, marking the first loss in the 11th professional outing for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist.
'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 Australian's fourth-round knockout victory left Nyika motionless on the canvas for several minutes, with famed promoter Eddie Hearn touting him as the only man who can stop world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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.'
Opetaia's British promoter Eddie Hearn hailed “future world champion” Nyika before repeating his claims that the “wild” Australian is the only man capable of challenging undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“He (Nyika) faced not only the best fighter in Australia, but one of the best fighters in the world, Jai Opetaia… savage,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said.
'You are talking about a very special fighter. “It’s not just the cruiserweight belts, but also the heavyweight belts.”
'Jai is humble enough not to talk about Oleksandr Usyk's name yet. I'm not.
“Jai will collect all the belts in the cruiserweight division to become undisputed, then we will push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
'You have to look for greatness. I think he's the only person right now, cruiserweight or heavyweight, who can give Usyk a real fight.
'But to do it, we have to get all the cruiserweight belts.
“Believe me, within 12 to 18 months, Jai Opetaia against Oleksandr Usyk… at Suncorp Stadium (in Brisbane), why not?”