“Dave took on the best fighter in the world on three weeks’ notice. He’s still a relative novice with only 11 pro bouts under his belt. And he’s been plagued by inactivity the last 18 months. He’s only had two bouts in that time. They’re the three biggest factors that contributed to David’s defeat.
“Jai won the fight fair and square but while it lasted Jai himself said he had never been shook like that in his career. Towards the end of the second round Dave hit him with a one two and a left hook and I was surprised I’d never seen Jai like that. He said that hadn’t happened before. It was a very gallant effort by David.
“He fell onto a very strong right uppercut in the fourth round. That was the beginning of the downfall.”
With Nyika out on his feet on the ropes Thornberry attempted to stop the fight but the referee allowed Opetaia to load up one final, punishing blow.
“I look back at the footage and we knew Dave was done,” Thornberry said. “I’d run to the side of the ring apron and said ‘that’s it’ and another punch landed. That last punch could’ve done a lot of damage. It was the one that knocked Dave out. I don’t think it needed to be landed. The fight was already over.
“He’s okay now. His health is intact, that’s all that matters.
“You’re not supposed to throw towels in you could inhibit someone’s vision but Jai had won the fight. You can’t blame Jai for the last punch but I wish the referee had acted a little quicker to prevent that final punch because it wasn’t necessary.”
Nyika’s tactics surprised everyone including Opetaia who is renowned for his fast, aggressive, pressing southpaw style. Widely expected to embrace his skill, height and reach advantage and to try control the distance, Nyika instead walked forward, traded and engaged in a toe-to-toe dog fight with the heavy-handed champion.
“If you watch the start of the fight both of them tried to take control of centre ring. They stood there like a pair of pit bulls and charged at each other. It was a psychological thing. I would’ve loved to have seen Dave use his boxing skill because I think he’s the most skilled fighter on the planet, especially in that division. At different times he made Jai miss by a long shot.
“They got caught up in the heat of the moment. Even Jai was shocked. It was on for young and old. With more experience Dave might’ve opted for a different approach.”
There were always concerns this fight was a high risk, too soon, proposition for Nyika who is yet to box past five rounds as a professional. Given that lack of experience he started a six-to-one outsider. Witnessing Nyika absorb such punishment was a tough watch for all those invested in his future in and out of the ring.
“I don’t ever want to see Dave get hurt because I love him. So, from that perspective, absolutely I regret it. But the opportunity, Dave doesn’t want to be a grandfather and say he could’ve fought for the world title. He had no hesitation taking the fight.
“We knew what we were up against. We both knew we were rolling the dice.”
Nyika departed for a holiday in Mexico last night but, once he returns to training in Gatton after a decent break, Thornberry remains confident the highly touted 29-year-old prospect will shake off his maiden pro defeat and swiftly rebuild to push for another title shot in the not-too-distant future.
“If David never fought again I wouldn’t care. He’s part of our family now. I’ll fully support him either way but it’s feasible to think he might be cruiserweight world champion by the end of this year.”
The 27-0 Opetaia is now expected to seek undisputed status with a potential bout in May against Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez, who holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts. Opetaia could then target WBC title holder Badou Jack or move up to challenge cruiserweight turned heavyweight kingpin Oleksandr Usyk.
“I think Jai beats Ramirez. If he unifies he will step up to heavyweight and try to emulate Usyk’s feats. It makes sense. That fight would sell very well. That would leave the cruiserweight championship vacant and it would be a great opportunity for David.
“Straight away he indicated he wants to fight again. His biggest concern was what’s next. He wants to get back into it. I told him to have a good break to freshen up and live a normal life.
“There will be no problems plotting a route for David. His profile has taken a steep turn for the better and you can’t say that too many times when a person gets knocked out.
“He’s got as much guts as any person I’ve ever met. His self-belief is incredible. Right now he needs a break but fighting wise he needs continuity. He needs to be fighting regularly against quality opposition. The next time he challenges for the championship he’ll walk out with victory. I’m sure of that.”
Liam Napier has been a sports journalist since 2010, and his work has taken him to World Cups in rugby, netball and cricket, boxing world title fights and Commonwealth Games.
