Boxing: Kiwi cruiserweight boxer David Nyika wins in second round

David Nyika (green trunks) fights Louis Marsters in the Cruiserweight at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 02, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Photo / Getty Images.

Kiwi cruiserweight boxer David Nyika has beaten Louis Marsters by TKO in the second round on the Gold Coast last night.

Nyika survived an early barrage from Marsters, before producing a vicious body shot that dropped his Australian opponent to his knees and prompted the referee to wave off the fight, as Nyika improved to a 4-0 record.

Nyika was fighting on the George Kambosos v Devin Haney undercard and was credited with 'best walkout of the night' as he dressed up as Boba Fett for his big entrance.

The Kiwi sported a Mulan-inspired outfit to continue his fascination with all things Disney, but there was nothing childish about his performance.

Only two months ago, the 26-year-old Kiwi boxer was in the midst of a long layoff from competition, having not stepped into the ring since late 2021.

But after that drought, Nyika has found the old adage of when it rains it pours to be true, packing his winter schedule.

Nyika returned to the ring with a unanimous decision win over Karim Maatalla in Melbourne last month. Next he will turn his attention to the Commonwealth Games in late July, being named in the eight-strong team heading to Birmingham.

David Nyika (green trunks) fights Louis Marsters in the Cruiserweight at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 02. Photo / Getty Images.

"I'm everywhere and nowhere," Nyika told Newstalk ZB's D'Arcy Waldegrave of his schedule. "I'm enjoying my life. I'm competing here, there and everywhere. I've got my hands full, but I'm enjoying life right now."

Australia has a new boxing world champion

Jai Opetaia has stunned the boxing world, producing a huge upset over Mairis Briedis to win their IBF cruiserweight world title fight on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

The epic fight went the distance, but Opetaia prevailed via unanimous decision (116-112 x 2, 115-113) to claim the belt.

The 27-year-old came out firing and put on a clinic to gain the upper hand in the early rounds of the bout.

But while Opetaia appeared to go from strength to strength early in the fight, it was revealed afterwards he had broken his jaw in the second round.

Opetaia went on the attack as he battered Briedis, leaving the Latvian with a cut above his right eye after the opening round.

The Australian kept hammering away and landed a brutal right uppercut to Brieidis' jaw at the end of the fourth round, leaving him so dazed he went to the wrong corner with a bloody nose.

Main Event commentator Ben Damon said: "The uppercut sailed through and did damage and busted the nose of the champ Mairis Briedis, who didn't know where he was.

"The champion looks flustered as blood courses from his nose. Opetaia is boxing a clinic."

Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech added: "He's more than flustered. He doesn't know where he is at the moment."

Somehow Briedis recovered as the fight turned into a classic with both boxers exchanging heavy blows and proving they have chins of granite.

The 37-year-old rallied and landed some huge uppercuts that did serious damage to Opetaia's already-busted jaw.

Damon described Opetaia's jaw as "badly disfigured", while Fenech added: "That granite jaw might be broken."

Damon later tweeted: "Ringside doctor believes Jai Opetaia suffered a 'bilateral mandibular fracture' (fractured jaw on both sides) likely in round 2 and 11.

"Will clearly need surgery. Mairis Briedis has visited the new champion's dressing room to congratulate him and ask for a rematch."

"He has shown himself to be otherworldly tough. He still didn't go down." Damon said.

"This is an epic fight. An incredible battle. An absolute war between two warriors here on the Gold Coast."

A jubilant Opetaia couldn't speak after the fight and his trainer Mark Wilson revealed he broke his jaw in the second round.

Gracious in defeat, Briedis went to pay his respects to Opetaia after the fight and revealed Opetaia also broke his nose, saying "it's one-one".

He said he was sick in the lead up but fistbumped Opetaia and hinted he would welcome a rematch.

It's also the heaviest division Australia has ever held a world title belt.

It came exactly five years to the day that Jeff Horn defeated Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium.

Horn said: "I'm so excited for him, I feel like I'm shaking. It brings me back five years ago and winning the title and I'm so happy for him.

"He was a teammate of mine in 2012 (at the Olympics), he's such a skilful guy and he showed that tonight. He did absolutely awesome. I'm very proud of him like everyone else is as well."

The boxing world was quick to heap praise on Opetaia's herculean effort.

Australian boxing great Barry Michael said: "Mairis Briedis is a superb world champion with dynamite in both hands and we've seen that. And he's beat him with a busted jaw.

"Phenomenal, great story. It's life changing what this man has just done. It's life changing for him, but it's going to become legendary in Australian sport."