IBF cruiserweight champ and, for many individuals, the beast of the division, Jai Opetaia, has a brand new opponent for his January eighth title protection. After Germany’s Huseyin Cinkara, sadly, broke his ankle and needed to withdraw from the struggle set for Broadbeach, Australia, unbeaten New Zealander David Nyika has stepped in at brief discover.
This transfer from the unbeaten 27-year-old saves the present. However is that this struggle a case of an excessive amount of too quickly for Nyika? A former beginner standout, massive issues are anticipated of Nyika, however maybe not so quickly in his profession. At simply 10-0(9), with “The Good Man,” as Nyika is understood, having been a professional solely since February of 2021, perhaps Opetaia will show to be far an excessive amount of for him.
However once more, credit score to Nyika for agreeing to step in with lower than a month to go till the struggle. Opetaia, 26-0(20) can be making the fifth defence of his title on January eighth, and he’ll little doubt step into the ring as a prohibitive favorite on this one. The southpaw has proven nice energy together with ability and toughness (he famously battled by a damaged jaw in his first resolution win over Mairis Briedis when he first turned champion), and loads of consultants do see him as one of the best cruiserweight on the earth proper now.
With a giant unification struggle with Mexican warrior Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez within the offing, Opetaia will, in fact, be in no temper to both battle to win or fail to maintain his belt on January eighth. This struggle is attention-grabbing as we simply don’t understand how good Nyika is, or how good he can grow to be.
Over time, fighters with even fewer professional fights than Nyika have efficiently challenged a world champion and gone dwelling with the belt or belts. Possibly this may occur right here? However once more, it’s powerful to foretell this one. Opetaia needs to be seen as the favourite to win, however Nyika clearly believes in himself.
