Fight results

Jai Opetaia received David Nyika as his opponent when the previous contender, Huseyin Cinkara, got injured. However, this is one of those cases where a replacement fight didn't lead to a loss—in fact, quite the opposite.

Regarding the champion. His style is one of the most exciting in the division. Primarily, it's his agile footwork combined with fast, combination-based attacks. In addition, Opetaia is a well-balanced boxer. He knows how to box as the second man, countering opponents while changing stances and delivering powerful punches with both hands. However, the main picture for Jai is maintaining a comfortable distance and applying pressure with his excellent sense of range and footwork, then transitioning to attack with a powerful short combination and closing the distance.

Nyika, on the other hand, is the bigger boxer, and his style is built around that. He’s 10 cm taller than the champion (198 cm vs 188 cm) and has longer arms (198 cm vs 193 cm). This gives him an advantage in attack. David chases his opponent, starts attacks with a jab, and then delivers a strong, fast right hand.

But that’s not all. Nyika feels comfortable in close-range, can battle strongly in the clinch, and works well to the body. The New Zealander has shown time and again that attacking the torso is not a problem for him, but rather one of his strengths.

The fighters are of the same age, both 29. However, the experience difference is crucial.

Opetaia earned his spot in the top ranks and the championship belt through blood and injuries. In 2022, he entered the ring as a relatively unknown Australian against champion Mairis Briedis, having not yet beaten anyone of particular note. He left as the champion.

At that time, the champion broke Jai's jaw. However, Opetaia didn’t give up, fought until the end, and won by decision. After that, Opetaia boxed four times—3 early wins and 1 decision victory, the latter in the rematch against Briedis. He handled the other opponents with masterful ease, including two undefeated Britons and Jack Massey, who had previously given Joseph Parker trouble.

Now, in the role of the “boxer who hasn’t beaten anyone significant” is Nyika. David has fought almost three times less—10 fights compared to 26. He has only fought twice outside of Oceania: once in the UK in 2021 and once in Saudi Arabia in 2024.

Experience is an important factor but not a decisive one. In boxing, there have been many cases where newcomers have defeated experienced fighters. Additionally, Nyika trains with one of the best teams in New Zealand. He is friends with Joseph Parker, has sparred with him multiple times, and has often been in large camps.

Both Nyika and Opetaia are not known for high punch output. They know how to work in combinations and land a flurry of punches, but they generally don’t do it often. Only Briedis, a more high-volume fighter, forced Opetaia to work more actively.

Both prefer to disrupt their opponents, create pressure, and wait for mistakes, which they then punish. It’s unlikely they will change their approach in this fight.

The quantity is similar, but the quality is not. Nyika has fought twice—knocking out Michael Seitz and Tommy Karpency. Opetaia outboxed Mairis Briedis in their rematch and knocked out Jack Massey.

The average level of the champion's opposition is higher. The fight against Briedis was tough and once again forced Opetaia to work to his full potential. After such fights, boxers typically learn lessons and become better. Nyika has not yet faced that level of opposition.

Both boxers are explosive. Nyika’s approach needs to be stopped. His size allows him to attack from a longer range, and his punching power, and even more importantly, his speed, create numerous problems. His punches are hard to avoid, especially because they can come as a straight to the head or a hook to the body when you least expect it.

However, Opetaia, though smaller, hits just as hard. When he engages in attack, it takes solid skills to stop his onslaught. In recent times, only Briedis, who has exceptional experience and an awkward style for the champion, managed to effectively defend against Opetaia. Jai's punches could shut down anyone.

This fight will be a great test for Nyika's ability to take punches. None of his previous opponents hit like Opetaia. And none have created the conditions for landing punches as Jai has.

At the same time, the champion has proven he can take a punch well, even when he’s been hit hard, which happens frequently in his bouts. However, whether Nyika's punch power will be a surprise for him will be answered only in the ring.

For both Opetaia and Nyika, this will be their second fight at Broadbeach, Australia. Jai first fought there in 2022, in his first bout against Mairis Briedis.

Interestingly, Nyika fought there the same day—in the undercard of the championship fight. That day, David faced Louis Marsters and knocked him out in the second round.

Stepping in as a replacement is always challenging, especially against a divisional leader. But this is also a huge opportunity for Nyika. David could use this chance to jump straight into the championship race, where the path to undisputed championship is just two steps away.

However, the opponent is extremely confident and has already fought many tough bouts. Opetaia is one of the favorites of Turki Alalsheikh, and if he wins, he has big plans ahead. A young, ambitious champion with a solid punch and experience from fights against larger opponents like Ellis Zorro, Jack Massey, and Jordan Thompson—who all had greater dimensions and were knocked out by the champion.