Jai Opetaia brutally knocks out David Nyika in the fourth round of their World Title bout after crazy slugfest
Jai Opetaia has knocked David Nyika out to defend his IBF and the Ring world cruiserweight title belts in a brutal Gold Coast homecoming.
The local favourite looked to be in a fight with the late-call up from New Zealand, who took the contest on just three weeks’ notice and showed tremendous intent in an even first three rounds.
But an Opetaia uppercut in the fourth round floored Nyika, who fought on only to be knocked out seconds later by a right hook and left uppercut combination that left him still on the canvas for several minutes.
It was Opetaia’s first fight in Australia since July 2022, when he broke his jaw twice but still found a way to upset Latvian champion Mairis Briedis and first win the belts.
‘David, thank you … he gave me a dog fight, I respect that,’ Opetaia said.
‘He slugged it out … he kept coming forward, he kept punching, thank you David.’
Victory, Opetaia’s 27th from as many starts, sets up a potential unification with Mexican star Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who holds both the WBA and WBO straps, 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 walked out of the ring to a round of applause, the loss his first in an 11th professional start for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist.
More to follow…
