IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and challenger David Nyika each weighed in at 199.5 lbs on Monday’s weigh-in for his or her battle this Wednesday, January eighth, on the Gold Coast Conference Centre, Broadbeach, in Australia.
Nyika appeared well-defined, exhibiting little or no fats on his 6’6″ body. Through the face-off, the 2 fighters went head-to-head. It had an expert wrestling-type really feel, and I used to be ready for some theatrics from the door. That was the one factor lacking.
Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) is the favourite, however Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) has an actual probability of successful. He’s catching Jai at an excellent level in his profession after his two grueling fights towards former IBF champion Mairis Briedis. He’s been softened up. The occasion can be proven reside on DAZN.
Hearn Hypes Opetaia
“David Nyika is here to fight. He’s one of the best amateurs this part of the world has seen for a long time. He took the fight on three weeks’ notice. He sees something. He believes, but tomorrow night, he’s up against an animal in Jai Opetaia. This is going to be a brilliant fight,” stated Eddie Hearn to DAZN Boxing at at this time’s Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika weigh-in.
“He’s a real champion. When you say Usyk. I don’t see any heavyweights that can beat Usyk. Maybe Jai can’t beat Usyk, but it’s a hell of a fight. When you look at Usyk becoming undisputed cruiserweight and then coming up to heavyweight and becoming undisputed. That’s the same goal Jai Opeptaia has,” stated Hearn.
A battle between Opetaia and Usyk remains to be away as a result of Jai nonetheless wants to gather the opposite three belts earlier than he accomplishes his objective of changing into the undisputed cruiserweight champion. That’s going to take some time. It is likely to be higher if Opetaia units apart his objective and strikes as much as heavyweight subsequent to problem Usyk for his three belts. He can all the time return to the division to proceed amassing all of them.
“If we can make that happen at cruiserweight, I think it makes the Usyk fight huge. You imagine the undisputed cruiserweight world champion fighting the undisputed heavyweight world champion,” stated Hearn. That’s a large battle. He does need to get by way of David Nyika. It’s not going to be simple.”
Nyika has an actual probability of successful this battle if he can cling on and make it to the second half of the competition to begin breaking Jai with strain. Opetaia’s face breaks down when he’s hit laborious loads, and he’s bought these eye ridges that are inclined to swell up when hit. If Nyika can land sufficient photographs on these eye ridges, he can reduce him and presumably rating a stoppage.
“I know he’s a big favorite to do it, but if he does that, you got to focus on the other champions. I think the Zurdo fight is a brilliant fight. Get Wednesday out of the way, and the goal has to be to unify the division,” stated Hearn.
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Publish date : 2025-01-07 03:57:36
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