David Nyika is lifted onto his teams' shoulders as he celebrates with his victory over Tommy Karpency. Photo / Photosport
David Nyika is lifted onto his teams' shoulders as he celebrates with his victory over Tommy Karpency. Photo / Photosport
In a sport where paths are carefully plotted, records padded, in the gradual quest to scale the political boxing rankings, every fighter faces their sink or swim opponent.
David Nyika’s development curve dives off the deep end tonight as he confronts Jai Opetaia for the cruiserweight world title.
Yet as he went nose-to-nose with Opetaia before going toe-to-toe, there is no sense Nyika is overawed.
Australia against New Zealand, the IBF and The Ring magazine titles and two driven, familiar 29-year-olds harnessing an indomitable will to win shape the narrative of an instant classic in the Gold Coast.
Few believe Nyika (10-0) – a six-to-one outsider – will upset Opetaia (26-0), the world’s leading cruiserweight, in his backyard due to their comparative pro experience.
Until you dive in, you never know if you can swim. That attitude, that unwavering inner belief, carried Nyika through 98 amateur fights to dual Commonwealth Games gold medals and Olympic bronze and into his budding pro career.
Challenging Opetaia, the relentless southpaw with fast and heavy hands, on three weeks’ notice is a monumental step up. Through his pre-fight duties this week, though, Nyika remains undaunted.
“This camp I’m telling no lies when I say I’m in the best shape of my life. That’s why we made the decision so quickly to take the fight because I’m red hot right now,” Nyika tells the Herald on the eve of his title shot.
“A lot of the times I’ve done well I was really nervous and anxious. I feel I thrive under this kind of pressure. Being in someone’s backyard, silencing my critics and his fans, will make me grow in the ring.”
Two-and-a-half years ago Nyika moved to Gatton, the small rural Queensland town located 145km inland from the Gold Coast to link with vastly experienced trainer Noel Thornberry and accelerate his transition from the three round amateurs to pro ranks.
Gatton is now home. Surrounded by his chickens, devoted to training and fighting, Nyika loves the quiet life. He goes days speaking to no more than five people.
Now, though, the biggest stage of his career awaits. And after waiting 15 years for this moment, he says he’s ready to shock the world.
“I draw a lot of confidence from Noel and the time we’ve spent in the gym preparing for someone exactly like Jai,” he continued.
“I’m part of a fighting family now. Spending time with Noel’s sons, brother, his father the Ice Man Trevor Thornberry, I’m finally where I need to be to fulfil all those dreams. I’ve improved tenfold since moving to Gatton.”
Familiarity hovers over this battle. Since moving to Australia Nyika has sparred Opetaia on six occasions, engaging in over 40 rounds.
Nyika was Opetaia’s main training partner before he fought through a broken jaw to defeat Latvian Mairis Briedis in July, 2022, and capture the IBF world title.
When Opetaia came calling for more sparring work last year, though, Nyika’s camp politely declined.
“That’s why we stopped sparring. We’d got all the value out of it and then we started looking at him as a potential opponent,” Nyika said. “That’s not to say it’ll be an easy fight. Everyone knows he’s the toughest guy in the division right now. You just have to look into his eyes to know that but I’ve got all the confidence in the world I can beat him.”
Thornberry witnessed those sparring sessions and says they were all highly competitive.
“Jai shook David and David shook Jai. It was world-class sparring. We should have been selling tickets,” Thornberry said.
“Dave has the skill to beat Jai. He’s big enough, strong enough. People are going to be surprised when they see Dave in there in rounds six, seven, eight, nine, 10.
“I’m inspired by Dave’s confidence. He’s not fazed at all by this. At 18-years-old he was a Commonwealth Games gold medallist. This is the biggest fight ever between an Aussie and a New Zealander.
“Regardless of what happens the sun will rise again but I do believe Dave is going to wake up on Thursday morning as the world cruiserweight champion.”
David Nyika during his win over Germany's Michael Seitz, in Saudi Arabia, in May 2024. Photo / DANZ Boxing
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Aside from belief in his ability and temperament Nyika’s confidence stems from preparation against southpaws. He defeated lightweight American Tommy Karpency in his last outing in August and spent four weeks sparring Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean.
“I’m fit, I’m ready, I’ve been doing 12 rounds with fresh opponents.”
Nyika has been careful to conceal his game plan but he is expected to try to use his height and reach advantage to navigate the treacherous early exchanges against the aggressive Opetaia who is noted for his fast, pressing style from the outset.
As a natural counterpuncher, Nyika must be wary of taking too many power shots but if he can lure Opetaia into the later rounds, the Australian has faded somewhat in his recent outings.
“I’ve got just as much dog as Jai and he knows that. We’re going to go through the gears. This will be a chess match. It will be a dog fight. I’m going to become the next cruiserweight world champion.”
While Opetaia, a man of action not words, recognises Nyika’s desire, there is no doubt in his mind this fight will play out with him defending the title for a fifth time in 16 months.
“All my last opponents had that fire in their eye. They’ve all believed this is their time to become a world champion,” Opetaia said.
“This is his chance to become world champion. This is what us boys strive for our whole lives, our whole careers. I know he’s willing to dig deep because we wait for these opportunities but I’m ready for it. I’ve been in his shoes. I know where he’s coming from and I’ve still got that hunger. Wherever this goes, let’s go there.
“I believe this is another stepping stone in my journey to greatness, to becoming undisputed. Without getting the job done on the 8th it all means nothing.”
Widely written off in enemy territory, Nyika welcomes a vocal support network with his brother, mum, dad and close friends travelling to witness his title tilt.
Before facing off one final time Nyika and Opetaia couldn’t be separated at the weigh in, both tipping the scales at 90.5kg. Whether that theme transpires in the ring remains to be seen.
To be the man you must beat the man. In the cruiserweight ranks, all roads run through Opetaia.
“Get your popcorn ready it’s going to be a show,” Nyika promised.
Nyika v Opetaia: All you need to know
The DAZN broadcast is set to begin about 9pm Wednesday, January 8, with the main event likely to take place at midnight.
The bout will be broadcast on the streaming platform DAZN. People in New Zealand and Australia must pay $39.99 to view it. Elsewhere, people can watch with a DAZN subscription.
