Jai Opetaia Stops David Nyika; Targets Unification
It was a successful homecoming for reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) as he stopped previously unbeaten David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia.
Both men threw heavy leather from the opening bell. Nyika was not intimidated fighting in the challenger’s backyard, as he was on the attack from the start. In the closing seconds of round two, he stunned Opetaia with a well-placed counter left hook to the temple.
The defending champion quickly rebounded in the third. Opetaia was able to connect with some solid body punches and left hands to the head of the challenger. But Nyika was tough and strong, as he had the champion on the back foot at the end of the round.
Round four was where the power of Opetaia came to the forefront. With seventy seconds to go in the round, he put Nyika down with a right uppercut to the chin. The challenger was able to get up but was hurt. Smelling blood, Opetaia followed up with a devastating right hook-left hand combination that put Nyika down for a second and final time. During the post-fight interview, the victor said he badly wants to fight unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
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